Himanta disburses funds, aims to uproot child marriage

Guwahati: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma initiated the disbursement of financial assistance under the Nijut Moina scheme on Sunday.
He presented cheques to 24,384 eligible female students from Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup and Morigaon districts at an event in Khanapara. Addressing the gathering, Sarma said child marriage will be eradicated by 2026.
The scheme aims to provide monthly stipends to all female students from Class 11 to post-graduation to encourage them to pursue higher education and combat child marriage.
Sarma said the education of girls in Assam began in 1935 but has gained new momentum with this initiative. On launching the scheme during Navratri, he said: “On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, our tirade against child marriage has entered into a decisive phase as we began disbursing monthly financial assistance under Nijut Moina. On the 11th of every month, our daughters will receive fixed payments to facilitate their college or university education.”
Sarma highlighted the broader benefits of Nijut Moina, stating that it incentivises positive social outcomes, supports higher education, reduces family expenses and reduces chances of child marriage by encouraging girls to continue their education.
Under the Nijut Moina scheme, female students in higher secondary classes will receive Rs 1,000 per month, undergraduates will get Rs 1,250 per month and those pursuing post-graduate studies will receive Rs 2,500 monthly. Financial support will be given for ten months in a year, with a gap of two months in June and July during summer vacation. A higher secondary first-year student will receive Rs 10,000 per year, graduate-level students will get Rs 12,500 annually and post-graduate students will receive Rs 25,000 annually.
Assistance will be provided to students of govt and govt-aided institutions.
In its first year, over 1.6 lakh girls will receive Rs 240 crore. In the next three years, the state govt plans to cover 10 lakh students under the Nijut Moina scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore.
To qualify for the scheme, a girl student must attend classes regularly, be disciplined and perform well in academics. She must also remain unmarried until completion of her post-graduation degree. Daughters of ministers, MPs and MLAs are not eligible for the scheme.
In describing the past efforts of the govt, Sarma mentioned that previous govt initiatives in Assam have shown positive results. Sarma said studies have demonstrated how Assam’s crackdown on child marriage has helped reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. “With the launch of Nijut Moina, this social evil (child marriage) got a final nail in the coffin,” he added.