Assam To Offer Monthly Aid For Girl Students To End Child Marriage
On Thursday, the Assam government launched its new scheme to provide monthly financial aid to girl students from higher secondary to post-graduate levels in government and aided institutions with the aim to put an end to child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA) scheme is expected to cover around one million girl students. The scheme will cost around Rs 300 crore in the first year and nearly Rs 1500 crore over the next five years, reported the Hindustan Times, quoting government officials familiar with the matter.
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Citing the survey, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the women got married before they were even mature, had not even completed their education, or were physically capable of bearing children.
“In some cases, these girls also ended up being victims of domestic violence,” he said. Biswa further added that the new scheme will encourage more young girls to pursue higher studies, achieve financial independence, and get married at an appropriate age.
The National Family Health Survey 2019-21 found that 31.8 percent of women in the age group 20-24 were mothers, suggesting that the majority of the women married before reaching the legal age of 18.
Earlier, Assam Police arrested more than 4,000 people in two major crackdowns against child marriage.
The chief minister also added that the scheme will be universal; however, those who do not wish to avail of it can voluntarily opt out of it.
Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA)
As per the scheme, financial aid will be provided for 10 months of the academic year. While a higher secondary student will be entitled to a monthly Rs 1,000, a graduate student Rs 1,250, and a postgraduate Rs 2,500 for 10 months. The benefits of the scheme will extend further if the girl students maintain a stipulated attendance and ‘character’ records.
Heartfelt thanks to HCM Dr. @himantabiswa for the CM’s Nijut Moina Scheme, a game-changer for Assam’s meritorious students.
This scheme ensures that financial constraints don’t hinder education, providing Rs. 10,000/month for HS, Rs. 12,500/month for graduates, and Rs.… pic.twitter.com/XSjY3CKKWD
— Ranjeet Kumar Dass (@RanjeetkrDass) August 8, 2024
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Girls who are married while in higher secondary or undergraduate level will not be applicable under the scheme. Daughters of ministers, MLAs, and MPs, along with those who receive scooters from the state government for securing a first division at the higher secondary level, cannot avail of the scheme.
