The Assam government started a policy on Thursday to provide monetary advantages to girl students on a monthly basis in order to end child marriages.
The initiative, known as Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA), is estimated to benefit approximately one million girl students and cost the government Rs.300 crore in the first year and Rs.1500 crore over a five-year period, according to government officials acquainted with the situation.
According to the state government, the initiative would enhance the number of girls enrolled in schools, colleges, and universities, with around 200,000 additional girls projected to join this year.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised his goal of putting an end to child marriages in the state, stating that the National Family Health Survey 2019-21 revealed that 31.8% of women aged 20-24 were mothers, indicating that the majority of these women married before the legally permissible age of 18.
“They married before they were grown, had completed their schooling, or were physically capable of delivering children. In other cases, these girls were victims of domestic violence,” the CM stated, adding that the new initiative will encourage more girls to pursue higher education, become economically independent, and marry at a suitable age.
State education minister Ranoj Pegu expressed gratitude to chief minister Sarma for launching the scheme, saying, “This ambitious scheme, undertaken by the state government to combat child marriage and provide a secure educational future for girl students, is a historic step for women’s education in Assam.”
“I urge all girl students in the state government’s HS/SS schools, colleges, and universities to start collecting forms for the “Mukhyamantri Nijut Moina Scheme” from today,” he added.
According to the initiative, female students who have completed Class 10 and enrolled in Class 11 will receive Rs.1,000 every month (excluding two months of summer break) for two years till they complete their Class 12 board exams. The funds will be transferred to their bank accounts on the eleventh of each month, according to Sarma.
Girls who have completed Class 12 and enrolled in degree programs would receive a monthly stipend of Rs.1,250 for the next three to four years until they graduate. Girls who have enrolled in bachelor’s and post-graduate courses will receive Rs.2,500 every month until they complete their studies, Sarma added.
Married school and college girls would be ineligible for the scheme’s benefits. Sarma, however, stated that if they married while obtaining a postgraduate degree, they will be eligible for the perks.
He stated that this scheme will lessen the burden on parents, who were previously unable to allow their daughters to pursue higher education owing to financial restraints.
The CM further stated that the children of ministers, legislators, MPs, and meritorious students who receive government-provided scooters and other privileges will be unable to participate in this plan.
Students enrolled in private schools, colleges, and universities will not be able to benefit from the MMNMA plan. According to the current government policy, girl pupils who score more than 60% in school are eligible for government scooters. This year, over 50,000 girls are projected to receive this benefit.
