Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma officially launched the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina scheme on August 8, 2024, aimed at preventing child marriage and enhancing educational opportunities for girls in the state. The scheme is designed to benefit around 10 lakh female students by providing monthly stipends of Rs 1,000 for Class 11, Rs 1,250 for degree courses, and Rs 2,500 for post-graduation studies. The initiative, which has a budget of Rs 1,500 crore, will run for four years, after which its success will be evaluated. Notably, married students at higher and graduate levels are excluded from eligibility, while married post-graduate students can still apply. The initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the high rates of child marriage in Assam, which have left many young girls deprived of education and facing domestic challenges. Application forms will be available at educational institutions across Assam from August 8 to 14, 2024.