The Assam government will provide a monthly stipend to girl students to end child marriage and increase their gross enrolment in higher education.

The stipend will be offered under the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina scheme to female students pursuing higher studies — from Class XI to post-graduation-level — irrespective of their economic status. The scheme was approved by the state cabinet on Wednesday.

Students enrolled in the first year of higher secondary, degree colleges and universities will be getting ₹1,000 a month, ₹12,500 and ₹2,500 a month for 10 months from the next academic session. For the current session, they will get the stipend for only nine months. No stipend will be paid during summer breaks.

From the second year onwards, the beneficiaries will not need to submit any application. A certificate from the head of the institution certifying a female student’s continuity in the institution will suffice.

After the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Sarma said: “The Assam government has announced a unique scheme to fight against the early marriage of girl students and also to inspire them to continue their education up to the post-graduate level. Under this scheme, a girl student who joins in the higher secondary, first and second year, that is Class XI and Class XII, will get a monthly stipend of ₹1,000 from the government...”

“Through this scheme, we want to prevent child marriage in Assam, we want to take the responsibility of girls’ education.... Basically, this amount will be received by the students on the 11th of every month. The burden on the parents will be reduced to a large extent and they will be able to send their daughters in spite of economic hardship to college and university...”

The scheme will also increase the gross enrolment ratio of girls in higher education and help them become self-dependent. “That is our aim,” he said, adding that there will be an outflow of ₹300 to 350 crore a year on the scheme and is expected to benefit 10 lakh female students in the next five years.