Guwahati, February 26 Ahead of the Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a series of schemes on Thursday offering cash benefits to nearly one lakh students and researchers.
At a function here, Sarma announced 'Jibon Prerana', 'Jibon Anuprerana', and 'Nijut Babu Asoni' to provide direct cash transfers to fresh graduates, researchers, and undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Under the Chief Minister's 'Jibon Prerana' scheme, the government will offer Rs 2,500 per month for one year to 48,319 fresh graduates to support their career paths.
Through the 'Jibon Anuprerana' scheme, a one-time assistance of Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 will be provided to 2,112 researchers, including Divyang scholars, to foster innovation.
According to the 'Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Asoni' scheme, the state government will provide monthly support to 47,395 first-year undergraduate and postgraduate boys to help prevent dropouts.
Under the existing 'Nijut Moina' scheme, the state government has been providing monthly stipends up to Rs 2,500 to all girl students from class 11 to postgraduation since 2024, aiming to prevent child marriages and arrest dropout rates.
Elections to 126 constituencies are likely to take place in March-April.
Launching the schemes, Sarma said, "The boys have ample reasons to celebrate. Male students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds enrolled in UG and PG courses will now receive monthly financial assistance to continue their education."
In addition to 'Nijut Moina', the 'Nijut Babu' scheme will cover 10 lakh students, and strengthen the government's efforts to promote higher education and develop critical thinking among youth, while also combating the social evil of child marriage, he added.
At the same function, Sarma also virtually launched 31 advanced technology labs, set up in collaboration with Tata Technologies, across ITIs and polytechnic institutes to equip youth with cutting-edge manufacturing and automation skills.