Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expands Pragyan Bharati Scheme, announces free textbooks and subsidised hostel fees

In a significant development, the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, unveiled plans to bolster the Pragyan Bharati scheme during a distribution ceremony of scooters to meritorious students in Guwahati on Thursday.

Attended by CM Sarma and Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, the ceremony witnessed the distribution of two-wheelers to over 35,000 meritorious students across the state. Sarma, expressing delight in the scheme's success, playfully cautioned the students to adhere to traffic rules while riding their new two-wheelers.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of safety, urging students to obtain a license and wear helmets. He disclosed that the scheme, initiated in 2017 with the distribution of scooters to 1,000 students, has grown significantly. This year, 30,200 female students and 5,567 male students will benefit, with the government allocating ₹260 crore for the initiative.

Addressing potential exclusions, Sarma encouraged affected students to reach out through their principals to the higher education council for resolution. Additionally, he revealed future plans, including a direct transfer of ₹1,000 to every student's bank account for purchasing textbooks. Subsidised government hostels are also in the pipeline, set to facilitate transfers by February of the following year.

"As we expand the ambit of this scheme in the coming days, we will be offering Free Scooties, Free Textbooks, and Subsidised Hostel fees," affirmed CM Sarma.

Highlighting the government's commitment to academic excellence, Sarma disclosed the creation of over 90,000 jobs in Assam based on merit in the last two years. Fields such as medicine, engineering, and public service are witnessing advancements solely on the basis of merit, underscoring the government's dedication to recognizing and rewarding excellence in education.