HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 12: In a bid to increase enrolment of girl students, the chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced financial assistance to them under the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina scheme.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired under the chairmanship of Sarma.
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Sarma informed that under the scheme the girl students would get monthly stipend through direct benefit transfers, adding, “The scheme would be effective in preventing child marriage”.
“The Assam government has announced today a unique scheme to fight against early marriage of girl students. It is also a scheme to inspire them to continue with their education upto the post graduate level,” Sarma added.
Sarma further said that the girl students enrolled in higher secondary, degree first year and PG first year of government and venture schools, colleges, and universities irrespective of their economic status are eligible for this scheme.
“However, students enrolled in private institutions will not be eligible for the scheme,” he said.
Under the scheme students enrolled in class 11 would receive Rs 1000 per month over a period of 10 months totalling Rs 10,000. Students enrolled in graduation 1st year (BA/Bsc/Bcom) would receive Rs 1250 per month over a period of 10 months totalling Rs 12,500.
For students enrolled in post graduation 1st year (Bed/MA/MSc/M.com) would get Rs 2500 per month for a period of 10 months, totalling Rs 25,000.
The chief minister said that the total outlay of the scheme would be Rs 1500 cr benefiting over 2 lakh girl students of the state.
“However, for the current academic session benefits can be availed for 9 months. From second year onwards, no application needs to be submitted. A certificate from the head of the institution certifying her continuity in the institution will be sufficient for availing the benefits,” Sarma stated.
The chief minister also said that the preparation of the scheme through form distribution will begin in July for colleges and in September for universities.
Explaining further about the scheme, Sarma said that daughters of MPs/MLAs and ministers would not be able to get benefits from this scheme.
“Married girl students except PG and Bed students, girl students who receive scooters under Pragyan Bharati Scheme and girl students enrolled in private institutions will not be benefitted under the scheme,” he said.
The scheme benefits will be disbursed to all beneficiaries from October 11 via direct benefit transfer.
The chief minister further said that the cabinet has also decided that from this academic year both boys and girls who score more than 75 per cent marks will receive Rs 10,000 as a one-time financial grant under the Anundoram Borooah Scheme.
“From next academic year, scooters will be distributed to both boy and girl students who secure more than 75 per cent marks,” he said.
Sarma added that to enhance the quality of infrastructure in state-run educational institutions, the cabinet has accorded approval to upgrade 126 schools, with an allocation of Rs 8 crore to each school.
