Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday launched the distribution of cheques for the Oct instalment of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu schemes, covering 5.42 lakh students across the state.The schemes seek to ease the financial burden of higher education on families. While Nijut Moina encourages girls to continue their studies and delay marriage, Nijut Babu provides financial assistance to boys pursuing higher education.Sarma said the schemes would be expanded next year to students of Srimanta Sankardeva University, Auniati University, Krishnaguru Adhyatmik University and Pragjyotishpur University. He asked education minister Ranoj Pegu to take the necessary steps to bring the institutions under the schemes.Female students pursuing ANM, GNM and BSc nursing courses will also be included under Nijut Moina, he said.“When the number of beneficiaries under a govt scheme increases, it generally raises concerns because more funds have to be allocated. However, when the number of beneficiaries under schemes such as Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu increases, it does not cause us anxiety. Instead, it fills us with joy that these schemes are helping lakhs of students turn their dreams into determination,” Sarma said while addressing the gathering.He said Nijut Moina was conceived against the backdrop of child marriage and early motherhood in Assam. Referring to the 2023 National Family Health Survey, Sarma said the problems remained prevalent in several districts, including Dhubri and South Salmara, where many girls were married at the age of 13 or 14.He also referred to instances of girls becoming mothers at the age of 11 or 12 in parts of the state.Sarma said govt’s statewide crackdown on child marriage had led to the arrest of more than 10,000 people and that the campaign would continue. However, he said, enforcement measures had been supplemented by Nijut Moina to encourage girls to remain in education and reduce the risk of early marriage.“Nijut Moina scheme has received widespread appreciation since its launch in 2024. Enrolment of girls in colleges across Assam has increased significantly, while the number of girls dropping out of educational institutions midway has declined,” he said.The chief minister also cited a decline in child marriage in Assam, as reflected in the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey.Explaining the rationale behind Nijut Babu, Sarma said the scheme was intended to encourage boys to pursue higher education while reducing the financial burden on their families. He claimed that college enrolment among boys from families with an annual income of less than Rs 4 lakh had nearly doubled within a year of the scheme’s launch.Calling for greater emphasis on practical and employment-oriented education, Sarma said every college in Assam should have an incubation centre and a startup ecosystem to provide students with relevant skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.He said the September instalment under both schemes would be transferred to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer after the Durga Puja celebrations. Govt would also consider increasing the financial assistance provided under the schemes in the future.
