Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributed financial assistance under the Nijut Moina scheme to girl students in Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, and Morigaon districts. The event took place at Khanapara, Guwahati.
The Mukhyamantri Nijut Moina program, inspired by the principles of the Bhagavad Gita, aims to help one million girls in the state complete their education.
Main objectives:
- To increase enrolment of girl students in Higher Education.
- To increase the percentage of girls educated beyond matriculation in Assam.
- To reduce dropouts among girl students.
- To increase the overall GER of the State.
- To eliminate the social evil of child marriage.
Financial Assistance:
- Class 11: ₹1,000 per month (up to 10 months) – Total ₹10,000.
- Graduation: ₹1,250 per month (up to 10 months) – Total ₹12,500.
- Post-Graduation: ₹2,500 per month (up to 10 months) – Total ₹25,000.
Scope of Applicability:
- Eligible Institutions: Financial aid covers government and select venture institutions for Higher Secondary, Graduation, and Post-Graduation levels.
- Private institutions are excluded.
- Conduct Compliance: Beneficiaries must follow all institutional rules, such as regular attendance and respectful behavior. Misconduct can result in withdrawal of benefits.
- Exclusion for Scooter Recipients: Girls receiving scooters under the Pragyan Bharati Scheme are generally ineligible but can opt-out to apply for this scheme.
- Integrated Mobility Grant: The Mobility Grant for postgraduate students is now merged with this scheme, with no separate grants issued
Eligibility Criteria:
- General Eligibility: The scheme is open to all eligible girl students who are domiciled in Assam, regardless of their economic status.
- Marital Status: Married girls are generally ineligible, with exceptions for those pursuing post-graduate or B.Ed. courses.
- In-Service Exclusion: Girls who are admitted to a B.Ed. course on deputation are not eligible.
- Exclusions Based on Parentage: Daughters of Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are not eligible for the scheme.
Increase in the literacy rate:
- The scheme targets one million girls (Nijut Moina), aiming to ensure that they continue their education up to higher secondary, graduation, and post-graduation levels.
- By focusing on such a large number of girls, the program can create a substantial impact on the overall literacy rate in the state.
Empowering Decision-Making:
- Education empowers girls to make informed decisions about their lives, including choices regarding marriage and career paths.
- Only girls studying in government colleges or educational institutions are eligible for the benefits.
- Girls who are married are not eligible for the scheme, emphasizing the focus on supporting unmarried girls to pursue their education.
Creating a base for equal society:
- Changing Societal Norms:
- As more girls complete higher education, societal norms and perceptions about gender roles are likely to shift.
- Education helps break down stereotypes and promotes the idea that women can contribute equally to society.
- Role Models:
- Educated women serve as role models for younger girls, inspiring them to pursue their education and careers.
- Visible success of educated women in various fields can motivate families to support the education of their daughters.
- The MMNM program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering girls through education. The focus on government institutions ensures that the benefits reach those who need them the most, and the exclusion of married girls emphasizes the importance of education before marriage. Overall, the MMNM program is a significant step towards women empowerment and the strategic development of the state.
