The government of Assam has launched an impactful new initiative called the ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme, aimed at tackling the issue of child marriage in the state. This program encourages girls to stay in school and continue their education, offering financial incentives to support their studies.
Key Details of the ‘Nijut Moina’ Scheme
The ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme provides monthly stipends to girl students, starting from Class 11 up to postgraduate levels. The financial support is structured as follows:
- Rs 1,000 for girls in Classes 11 and 12.
- Rs 1,250 for girls pursuing undergraduate degrees.
- Rs 2,500 for girls enrolled in postgraduate programs.
Conditions to Receive Financial Support
To qualify for these stipends, students need to meet two important conditions:
- Regular attendance and academic performance are required. Students must be actively engaged in their studies to continue receiving the support.
- A commitment to delay marriage until they have completed their postgraduate education. This is a critical condition to ensure girls focus on their education rather than early marriage.
It’s worth noting that the daughters of government officials are not eligible for this scheme.
Objectives of the ‘Nijut Moina’ Initiative
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the scheme aims to eliminate child marriage in Assam by 2026. By providing financial assistance, the initiative seeks to empower girls to continue their education and pursue higher studies, reducing the social pressure to marry young.
Expected Impact
The ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme is expected to support 10 lakh (1 million) girl students with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore. The initiative aims to:
- Encourage more girls to complete higher education, offering them better career opportunities.
- Reduce the financial burden on families by covering some of the costs associated with their daughters’ education.
- Prevent child marriage, focusing on education as a long-term solution to this deep-rooted issue.
Evidence of Success
Previous government initiatives have already seen promising results, with an 81% reduction in child marriage cases in 20 districts of Assam between 2021-22 and 2023-24. The ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme is seen as a crucial next step in ensuring this positive trend continues, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for mothers and children across the state.
A Brighter Future for Assam’s Girls
By supporting education and delaying marriage, the ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme represents a strong commitment from the Assam government to the empowerment of girls. The initiative not only addresses the issue of child marriage but also invests in the future of the state by promoting education and offering girls the tools to succeed.
