“Assam Unveils ‘Nijut Moina’ Scheme to Combat Child Marriage and Boost Girls’ Education”

The government of Assam, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has implemented a law to curb child marriage, resulting in the arrest of over four thousand individuals for marrying underage girls. To further combat child marriage and encourage girls to pursue education, the government has introduced a new scheme called “Nijut Moina.” Under this scheme, girls from 10th grade to post-graduation will receive financial assistance ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,500. CM Sarma emphasized that child marriage often prevents girls from continuing their education, and this scheme aims to motivate families to educate their daughters rather than marry them off early. He expressed hope that the scheme would help reduce child marriage, early pregnancies, and domestic violence against women.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma described the Nijut Moina scheme as a constructive step toward preventing child marriage. The scheme is available to all girls, with the option to opt out voluntarily. Financial assistance will be provided to eligible students for 10 months of the academic year. Higher secondary students will receive Rs. 1,000 per month, undergraduate students Rs. 1,250 per month, and post-graduate students Rs. 2,500 per month. However, girls who marry during their higher secondary or graduation studies will not be eligible for the scheme. Additionally, girls who receive scooters under another government scheme, as well as daughters of Ministers, MLAs, and MPs, will not qualify for Nijut Moina. Regular attendance is also required to benefit from this scheme.

CM Sarma highlighted the alarming statistics from the National Family Health Survey 2019-21, which revealed that 31.8% of girls in Assam became mothers between the ages of 20-24, implying they were married before turning 18. Furthermore, 30% of girls in the state marry between 18 and 21, making them vulnerable to malnutrition and domestic violence. In districts like South Salmara and Dhubri, over 50% of girls are married at a young age, with some becoming mothers as early as 12-13 years old. CM Sarma stressed that the most effective deterrent is education. By delaying marriage and keeping girls in school, the issue of child marriage can be mitigated. The Assam government has allocated Rs. 1,500 crore over the next four years, aiming to benefit 10 lakh girl students through this scheme.