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The scheme is expected to cover around one million girl students and cost the exchequer Rs.300 crore in the first year and around Rs.1,500 crore over a five-year period.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that in a push to increase enrolment of girl students in higher education, the Cabinet has accorded approval to provide financial assistance to girl students under the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina scheme to be offered as Admission Assistance. 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 is eligible for this scheme.
He added, “For students enrolled in Class XI: 1,000 per month over a period of 10 months, totalling 10,000, for students enrolled in Graduation 1st year (B.A./B.Sc/B.Com): 1,250 per month over a period of 1O months, totalling 12,500. For students enrolled in Post Graduation 1st year (BEd/M.A/M.Sc/M.Com): 2,500 per month for a period of 10 months, totalling 25,000 (by merging Mobility grant under Pragyan Bharati scheme with Nijut Moina scheme)."
Sarma said that for the current academic session, benefits can be availed for 9 months “From the 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 benefits. The preparation of the scheme through form distribution will begin in July for colleges and in September for Universities.
The chief minister added that daughters of MPs/ MLAs and Ministers, Married Girl students (except PG and B.Ed students) shall not be eligible to receive benefits of this scheme. Over 2 lakh girl students are estimated to benefit from this scheme which aims to increase the overall Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) beyond matriculation and help in eliminating the social evil of child marriage. The scheme benefits will be disbursed to all beneficiaries from October 11 via DBT.
The chief minister added, “From this academic year, both Boys and Girls who score more than 75% marks will receive 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% marks.
Last month Assam police arrested eight people including a Kazi (marriage registrar) in Karimganj district for allegedly officiating a child marriage.
Last year in October Assam police arrested more than 1,000 people in a massive state-wide crackdown against child marriage.
As per the state government data, 3,098 persons were arrested in the first two months of last year under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The state registered 4,363 cases of child marriage since February 3, this year.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that child marriage will be eradicated from Assam completely by 2026.
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