Assam’s Bold Initiative: ‘Nijut Moina’ Scheme Aims to Eradicate Child Marriage

Guwahati: The Assam government has launched an ambitious plan to combat child marriage by financially empowering girls to pursue higher education. Under the ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme, girls across the state will receive monthly financial support. Starting on the 11th of every month, this assistance will help girls stay in college and continue their education.

The initiative, which kicked off on August 8, is seen as a game-changer in the fight against child marriage. Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, strongly believes this program will have a lasting impact on society. The scheme provides financial incentives to promote education, reduce family expenses, and discourage early marriages by keeping girls in school.

With a budget of ₹1,500 crore, ‘Nijut Moina’ aims to support 10 lakh girl students. In its first year, over 1.6 lakh girls are expected to benefit, receiving a total of ₹240 crore. The program’s rules are straightforward: girls must attend classes regularly, achieve good results, and remain disciplined. Importantly, daughters of ministers, MLAs, or MPs are not eligible, and the financial support is conditional upon the girl remaining unmarried until completing her postgraduate studies.

This scheme is a response to overwhelming evidence from past efforts, which have shown how Assam’s crackdown on child marriage has led to reductions in maternal and infant mortality rates. Studies have pointed out that preventing child marriage directly improves health and social outcomes. The ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme, by encouraging education and delaying marriage, is expected to deliver the final blow to this social evil.

As the Assam government continues its war against child marriage, ‘Nijut Moina’ stands out as a unique and strategic initiative, aimed not only at empowering girls but also at transforming the societal landscape.

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