HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 26: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Mukhyamantrir Nijut Moina Asoni scheme has emerged as a beacon of hope for fulfilling the dreams of girl students in the state.
Inaugurating the centrally organised Nijut Moina 2.0 cheque distribution programme at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at Sarusajai here on Monday, the chief minister said that the scheme has empowered girls who are now excelling across various sectors.
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It may be noted that the scheme will benefit over 3.5 lakh girl students in the 2025–26 academic year, compared to more than 1.6 lakh beneficiaries in 2024–25.
Under the scheme, students of Classes XI and XII will receive Rs 1,000 per month, students enrolled in integrated teacher training and undergraduate programmes will receive Rs 1,250 per month, and postgraduate students will get Rs 2,500 per month, for a maximum of ten months.
The chief minister said that last year 1,61,302 students benefited from the scheme, while this year 3,50,265 students will receive assistance.
He stated that the increase reflects rising enrolment of girls in higher education.
He added that the scheme has prevented dropouts and instilled confidence among young women.
Sarma said the scheme has also helped in discouraging child marriage in the state.
He informed that the government has taken strong measures to curb the practice and has arrested about eight thousand people involved in child marriage in the last two years.
He said that the government aims to support parents who earlier married off their daughters due to poverty.
The chief minister highlighted other government initiatives for girls, including free college admissions, bicycles for Class IX students, scooters for meritorious higher secondary students, and reservation for women in government services.
He announced that Nijut Moina will now also cover girls studying in the fifth semester of undergraduate courses, as well as those enrolled in state polytechnic institutes and ITIs, with a target of supporting 10 lakh girls in total.
Sarma said that while more funds are needed to expand the scheme further, the state is working toward generating resources while ensuring equitable development.
He also announced that students appearing for the upcoming matric examination will receive Rs 300 per month from November 15 to the end of the examination period, and beneficiaries of Nijut Moina will receive a special gift in February.
He informed that while the first installment of Nijut Moina 2.0 has been distributed through cheques, the funds will be transferred directly to students’ bank accounts on the 10th of every month from next month. Students who face issues can file complaints through the helpline.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneswar Kalita, Lok Sabha MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MLAs and senior government officials were present at the event.
