Guwahati, 12th July: In a move to enhance the state’s college scholarship programme, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced significant improvements aimed at benefiting millions of students from low-income families. The changes come in response to feedback from educational institutions and are set to streamline the financial support process.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Sarma detailed the new system where scholarship funds will be directly deposited into college bank accounts at the time of admission. This adjustment, suggested by college authorities, is intended to ease financial pressures on institutions and ensure smoother operations.
“To date, 19 lakh students in Assam have benefited from this scheme,” Sarma noted, emphasizing the wide-reaching impact of the programme.
The free admission policy in Assam began in 2016, targeting first-year degree, higher secondary, and postgraduate students. In response to student requests, the programme was later expanded to include third and fifth-semester enrollments.
Acknowledging concerns from college principals regarding delayed compensation and operational challenges, Sarma announced a more immediate reimbursement process. “This year, 95,000 students whose parents earn less than 4 lakh rupees annually have taken admission free of cost,” he said.
To further support educational institutions, the government will distribute Rs 60 crore to Dispur college principals, covering the costs of free admissions for these 95,000 students. This revamped system will utilize the Samarth portal to track free admissions, ensuring that colleges can continue operating smoothly while providing accessible education to deserving students.
These improvements reflect the government’s commitment to addressing educational needs and easing financial burdens on both students and institutions, fostering a more inclusive and supportive academic environment in Assam.
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