Assam’s CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Nijut Moina Asoni (Scheme)’ to provide monthly financial aid for female students from higher secondary to postgraduate levels. The initiative, worth Rs. 1500 crore, aims to encourage higher education and reduce child marriage, targeting 10 lakh girls and 98 educational institutions all over Assam for four years and linking benefits to attendance and marital status.
In a groundbreaking move by ‘Mama’ (Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma) to enhance female literacy and development, the Assam government recently launched the “Nijut Moina” scheme. This initiative aims to improve the overall societal discrimination and status of the female population in the state.
The name “Nijut Moina,” which translates to “One Lakh Girls” in Assamese, reflects the ambitious goal of the scheme—to reach out to and uplift at least one lakh female students across the state. The scheme is not just about numbers; it is a thoughtful initiative rooted in the understanding that female education is an important aspect of society.
‘Nijut Moina Scheme’- a monthly financial assistance scheme to increase girls’ enrolment in higher education and fight against child marriage. This scheme will also complement the already ongoing ‘free admission’ scheme of the government.
The main objectives of the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Scheme are as follows:
• To increase enrolment of female students in Higher Education.
• To increase the percentage of girls educated beyond matriculation in Assam.
• To reduce dropouts among female students.
• To increase the overall GER of the State.
• To eliminate the social evil of child marriage.
As a part of the scheme, monthly financial assistance will be given to female students from HS to PG level in government and government-aided educational institutions. Financial support is to be given for 10 months in an academic year.
A student in HS First year will be entitled to Rs. 10 thousand that is Rs. 1 thousand every month for 10 months. A student at the graduate level will be entitled to Rs. 12,500 which is Rs. 1250 for every month and a PG level student will be entitled to 25,000 which is Rs. 2500 for every month for 10 months in a year. Financial assistance is to be transferred through DBT from October 10, 2024.
Sarma on the occasion said that launching the Nijut Moina Scheme has a core social message which is to end child marriage. The Rs.1500 crore scheme will benefit 10 lakh girls in four years. Referring to the National Family Health Survey 2019-21, he said that 31.8 percent of women of 20 to 24 years from Assam have become mothers which means most of them get married before 18 years of age.
It is evident from these surveys and statistics that females are deprived of adequate nutrition and education. Various other surveys show that in districts with a core Islamic population like Dhubri, and South Salmara, more than 50 percent of women marry before they reach the age of 18 years.
In fact, some of the surveys even indicate that sometimes some of the girls embrace motherhood even at the age of 12-13 years. He said that though laws have been passed to end child marriage, education is the only deterrent to discourage child marriage.
The Chief Minister also said that around three lakh girls study up to Class X. However, the enrolment in Higher Secondary reduces drastically. In most of cases, their penury compels them to end their studies mid-way. Therefore, the State government launched a free admission scheme in the year 2016.
Sarma also said that vocational education plays a great role in ending child marriage. Vocational education enables a girl to get employment, which becomes a source of motivation for the parents as well as the girls. Keeping this objective in mind, the State government has adopted Nijut Moina, an ambitious scheme.
He said that a girl student will be entitled to the benefits of the scheme in the second year provided she has regular attendance, and she does not indulge in ragging. Meanwhile, if a girl is married in HS and Degree, she will be barred from the benefits of the scheme.
Similarly, the daughters of MLAs, MPs, and Ministers will not be eligible for the scheme. The Chief Minister said that in the next 3 to 4 years 10 lakh girls will be brought under the ambit of the scheme. He also reiterated the need to update the KYC of the beneficiary bank accounts to ensure uninterrupted transfer of benefits.
Summary of who is not eligible for this Scheme:
- According to the chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, daughters of ministers and Members of the Assam legislative assembly (MLAs) are not eligible for the scheme.
- Girl students who are beneficiaries of the state government scheme for excelling in the Higher Secondary (HS) exams and have received a scooter will not be eligible for these monetary benefits.
- Girl students of private colleges and universities are also not eligible. However, students from venture colleges will be eligible.
- Girl students who are not regularly in attendance or involved in undesirable activities like ragging will also be excluded from the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria For Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Scheme 2024:
- Applicants should be residents of Assam.
- Applicants should be students of Govt.
- Only students can apply for this scheme.
- The annual income of the families of the students shall not exceed the limit fixed by the Government.
- Only unmarried students can apply for this scheme.
Required Documents For Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Scheme 2024
- Aadhaar Card Photo
- Passport size photo
- Mobile Number
- Bank Account
- Marksheet of Last Qualifying Exam: 10th / Higher Secondary / Graduation Pass Marksheet
- Admission Receipt
- Domicile Certificate
How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide):
The government has not notified the official website for the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Scheme yet. All the eligible applicants can visit the official website and fill out the form there once the government announces its official website. A general application process has been mentioned below –
- First, visit the official website of the scheme.
- The homepage of the website will open on the screen.
- Now from the homepage, go to the apply here option.
- A new page with an application form will open on the screen.
- Enter your details like name, date of birth, age, address, etc.
- Upload the relevant documents.
- Check the provided information carefully.
- Now click on the submit option.
Interested applicants should check the official website regularly: (Website Link)
Who is not eligible?
- According to the chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, daughters of ministers and Members of the Assam legislative assembly(MLAs) are not eligible for the scheme.
- Girl students who are beneficiaries of the state government scheme for excelling in the Higher Secondary (HS) exams and have received a scooter will not be eligible for these monetary benefits.
- Girl students of private colleges and universities are also not eligible. However, students from venture colleges will be eligible.
- Girl students who are not regularly in attendance or involved in undesirable activities like ragging will also be excluded from the scheme.
Fund allocation for the Scheme
- The scheme is likely to cost the state government Rs 1500 crore for the next five years.
- The state government has allocated Rs 300 crore for the first year.
