Himanta Biswa Sarma: Assam government to eradicate child marriage by 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on October 6 that the state is intensifying its fight against child marriage, aiming for complete eradication by 2026. Speaking during the auspicious occasion of Navratri, Sarma highlighted the launch of the monthly financial assistance scheme, Nijut Moina, which is designed to support girls in their educational pursuits.

Under the Nijut Moina initiative, which has a projected outlay of Rs 1,500 crore, Assam's daughters will receive fixed payments on the 11th of each month to help them stay in college. The program aims to benefit 10 lakh girl students, with an immediate focus on over 1.6 lakh girls in its first year, allocating Rs 240 crore in total support.

"The rules are straightforward: participants must attend regular classes, maintain good academic performance, and demonstrate discipline. Importantly, the scheme does not apply to the daughters of Ministers, MLAs, or MPs, and no marriages will be permitted until the girls complete their post-graduate studies," Sarma said.

Citing overwhelming evidence from past initiatives, the Chief Minister emphasized that the crackdown on child marriage has already led to significant improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates in the state. "With Nijut Moina, we aim to drive a final nail into the coffin of this social evil," he said.

Launched on August 8, the Nijut Moina initiative is expected to be a game changer in the battle against child marriage, promoting positive social outcomes by funding higher education and alleviating family expenses.