In a significant pre-election announcement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled a new financial assistance scheme aimed at supporting male students from low-income families pursuing higher education. Dubbed the 'Babu Scheme,' this initiative promises monthly stipends ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, effective from February 1 this year.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Student Aid
The announcement, made during the Chief Minister's New Year's Day address, comes as a parallel to the existing Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina (NMM) scheme for girl students. While the NMM scheme was designed to boost female enrollment, reduce dropouts, and curb child marriage, the new Babu Scheme responds to demands from male students. Sarma acknowledged a "silent movement" among boys who felt they too needed financial support to continue their studies.
"We already have a scheme called Nijut Moina to encourage girl students to pursue higher education and stop child marriage by keeping them engaged in education. But recently, there was almost a silent movement by our boys that they also need a babu scheme," the Chief Minister stated.
Eligibility and Payout Structure of the Babu Scheme
The scheme introduces a tiered financial support system based on the level of study. Male students pursuing postgraduate courses will be eligible for Rs 2,000 per month, while those in undergraduate programs will receive Rs 1,000 per month. The aid will cover first-year students starting from this academic year.
However, unlike the all-encompassing NMM scheme for girls, the Babu Scheme has an income cap. Only boys from families with an annual income below Rs 4 lakh will be covered. Furthermore, children of government employees are explicitly excluded from availing the benefits.
For context, under the Nijut Moina scheme for girls, higher secondary students get Rs 1,000, undergraduates receive Rs 1,250, B.Ed students are granted Rs 2,500, and postgraduates can avail Rs 2,500 monthly.
Boost for Orunodoi Beneficiaries and Political Timing
Chief Minister Sarma's address also brought festive cheer to millions of women beneficiaries under the state's flagship Orunodoi scheme. He announced that these women would receive a one-time Bihu gift of Rs 8,000 in February, covering the installment for the months of January to April. This is a significant increase from their current monthly payout of Rs 1,250.
Sarma clarified the timing, stating he wanted to make the announcement before the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming crucial assembly polls comes into effect, to avoid giving the opposition a chance to complain to the Election Commission of India. The lump sum payment is timed with the state's celebration of Rongali Bihu in April. There are approximately 37 lakh (3.7 million) Orunodoi beneficiaries across Assam.
The dual announcements of the Babu Scheme and the enhanced Orunodoi payout are seen as major welfare pushes by the BJP-led state government ahead of the elections, aiming to address economic concerns within both student communities and low-income households.
