Assam's Nijut Moina: Empowering Girls, Ending Child Marriage

Assam's Nijut Moina program, launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in August 2024, provides monthly stipends to girl students from Class 11 to postgraduate level. The scheme aims to cover 10 lakh girls with a total investment of Rs 1,500 crore

Scheme Overview and Financial Assistance

Nijut Moina Scheme launched by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Provides monthly stipends to girl students from Class 11 to postgraduate level
First Installment given to beneficiary accounts on 06 October 2024.

Stipend amounts:

- Rs 1,000 for Classes 11 and 12
- Rs 1,250 for degree students
- Rs 2,500 for postgraduate students
Aims to cover 10 lakh (1 million) girl students
Total investment of Rs 1,500 crore
Payments disbursed on the 11th day of every month via Direct Bank Transfer
Scheme not effective in June and July (summer vacation months)

Eligibility and Conditions

Open to girl students in government and venture educational institutions

Applicants must:

- Attend classes regularly
- Maintain discipline and perform well in exams
- Commit to not marrying until completion of postgraduate studies

Exclusions:

- Daughters of ministers, MPs, and MLAs not eligible
- Girls receiving scooters under the Banikanta Kakati Award excluded
- No stipends for daughters of government officials
Students must adhere to institution rules; violations may lead to benefit withdrawal
No payments during summer or prolonged vacations

Objectives and Expected Impact

Primary goals:

- Eliminate child marriage in Assam by 2026
- Increase enrollment and retention of girls in higher education
- Reduce dropout rates among girl students
- Increase the state's Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER)

Addresses multiple issues:

- Combats child marriage by incentivizing education
- Reduces financial stress on families
- Promotes women's education and women’s empowerment

Evidence of impact:

- 81% reduction in child marriage cases across 20 districts of Assam between 2021-22 and 2023-24
- Previous crackdown on child marriage has helped reduce maternal and infant mortality rates

Long-term benefits:

- Encourages girls to pursue higher education
- Contributes to positive social outcomes
- Aims to create lasting social change

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