Financial aid: With an aim to eradicate child marriage by 2026 in the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday (October 6) handed over the first instalment of monthly stipends to girl students of class 11 to post-graduation under a new 'Nijut Moina' scheme. The scheme was launched in August by the chief minister.
He handed the cheques for the first month to the students at a programme in Guwahati, while similar functions were organised across the state in which the girls received the maiden instalment under the new scheme.
Benefits under 'Nijut Moina' scheme
Speaking during the occasion, Sarma said that the dual purpose of promoting women's education and preventing child marriages through it. "Today Assam has taken a big initiative. Under the scheme, all girls studying higher secondary will get Rs 1,000 every month, it will be Rs 1,250 for degree students and Rs 2,500 for girls doing post-graduation. This step will prove helpful in stopping child marriage in Assam."
He said that while the government has been running different schemes to encourage women's education, like free admission and other incentives, the ‘Nijut Moina’ programme is to provide the girls with the financial help needed to attend classes regularly.
What are rules?
"The rules are simple: regular classes, maintain good academic performance, and demonstrate discipline. The scheme does not apply to the daughters of Ministers, MLAs, or MPs, and no marriages will be permitted until the girls complete their post-graduate studies," Sarma said.
Citing overwhelming evidence from past initiatives, the Chief Minister emphasized that the crackdown on child marriage has already led to significant improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates in the state. "With Nijut Moina, this social evil will get a final nail in the coffin," he said.
Taking X, CM Sarma said, the Nijut Moina initiative is expected to be a game changer in the battle against child marriage, promoting positive social outcomes by funding higher education, reducing family expenses and baring child marriage by encouraging girls to remain in college. "I believe this initiative will be a game changer to fight child marriage. #NijutMoina is unique as it incentivises positive social outcomes, funds higher education, reduces family expenses, and bars child marriage by encouraging girls to remain in college."
"Overwhelming evidence of our past efforts has pointed us in today's direction. Studies have demonstrated how Assam's crackdown on child marriage has arrested maternal and infant mortality rates. With #NijutMoina, this social evil will get a final nail in the coffin," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
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