Guwahati, October 14: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday reiterated his government’s commitment to eradicating child marriage from the state by 2026, stating that the fight for the future of girls “continues strongly.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sarma announced that the second phase of the ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme, titled #NijutMoina2, will be rolled out in October, shortly after Diwali. The expanded initiative aims to empower adolescent girls and ensure that they continue their education instead of being forced into early marriages.
“The fight for the future of our girls continues strongly as we aim to realise our goal of a Child Marriage Free Assam by 2026. The #NijutMoina2 with expanded coverage will roll out to our girls in October, after Diwali, which will empower them to continue with their education,” Sarma wrote.
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Notably, the ‘Nijut Moina’ programme is a part of the state government’s broader strategy to ensure that no girl drops out of school due to financial constraints or societal pressures.
Under the scheme, eligible girls will receive financial aid for carrying out academic studies from higher secondary to postgraduation level.
Officials said the state machinery is actively reaching out to remote and vulnerable communities to ensure the scheme reaches every eligible beneficiary.
By linking education incentives with child marriage prevention, the state government hopes to break the cycle of early marriage and empower a new generation of women leaders.
The launch of ‘Nijut Moina 2’ also coincides with Assam’s ongoing crackdown on child marriage, under which hundreds have been arrested over the past year.
Chief Minister Sarma has frequently reiterated that education and awareness are key to sustaining this social transformation.
The Chief Minister raised alarm over the deep-rooted socio-cultural inequalities affecting young girls in different parts of the state, citing widespread instances of child marriage and lack of access to education in certain regions.
