Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a new scheme 'Nijut Moina' on Wednesday aimed at fighting early marriage of girls, and encouraging them to pursue education up to the postgraduate level. Under this scheme, girls in higher secondary classes (11th and 12th) will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 from the government. Those enrolling in degree or graduation courses will get Rs 1,250 monthly, while postgraduate students will receive Rs 2,500 monthly, Sarma was quoted by ANI as saying. The scheme intends to prevent child marriage and shift the responsibility of girls' education to the government.
ALSO READ: Assam Receives Nod For New IIM Near Guwahati, CM Himanta Calls It 'Special Gift From PM Modi'
Addressing a media conference, Sarma said, "The Assam government has announced today a unique scheme to fight against the early marriage of girl students and also to inspire them to continue their education up to the postgraduate level. Under this scheme, a girl student who joins in higher secondary, 1st and 2nd year, that is class 11th and 12th, will get a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 from the government."
"The female students who will get themselves admitted in degree courses and graduation courses will get Rs 1,250 per month from the government. Those who are pursuing postgraduation will get Rs 2,500 per month from the state government," he added.
The stipend will be disbursed on the 11th of each month, and seeks to ease the financial burden on parents so they send their daughters to college and university. "Through this scheme, we want to prevent child marriage in Assam and we want to take responsibility for girls' education on the shoulders of the government. This amount will be received by the students on the 11th of every month and the burden on the parents will be reduced to a large extent and they will be able to send their daughters to college and university," Sarma said.