Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 10 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday disbursed Rs. 68.44 crore to 349 institutions under Phase-I of the Pragyan Bharti scheme at a function held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati.
It may be noted that with the distribution, nearly one lakh students secured the way forward towards free education under the State government’s policy to ensure free higher education to poor and middle-class students.
Launched in the year 2016-17, till 2023-24, a total of 22,30,257 students attained benefits from the scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that with an aim to increase the Gross Enrolment ratio in higher education in the state, the Pragyan Bharti scheme was started in the year 2016-17.
“However, subsequently the scheme has been replicated to cover the students of higher secondary and postgraduate. Under the scheme, besides 1,38,085 students in the year 2016-17, a total of 2,94,633 students got benefitted in the year 2023-24. These statistics prove the success of Pragyan Bharti in the state. Stating on the use of technology for admission in the institutions of higher education,” Dr. Sarma said.
The Assam Chief Minister further said that, using ‘Samarth Portal’ 2,28,399 students have applied for admission and 85.2 per cent of students got admitted.
“Technology and AI have a great role to play in the future education system. Therefore, State government, using the technology ‘Samarth Portal’ has tried to make the entire process of admission clean and hassle-free,” Dr. Sarma said.
The Chief Minister further said that the State government has taken a series of steps for the intellectual development of the students.
“Ranging from free enrolment in educational institutions, free bicycle and scooty distribution to nijut moina scheme, etc, these schemes have brought about revolutionary changes in the academic landscape of the state,” the Assam Chief Minister said.
He said that while he was a student in Cotton College (now university), he saw the financial ordeal faced by sections of students while paying fees. Realizing that, he as the Chief Minister of the state, decided to implement free admission of students belonging to BPL and middle-income group families of the state.
Commenting on the reactions stemming from the notification of the Higher Education Department regarding the exemption of PRC for the appointment of Assistant Professor, librarian, Grade III and Grade IV employees in colleges, Dr Sarma said that PRC cannot protect the rights of the local people, as PRC can be obtained if a person lives in Assam for three years.
He said that on the other hand, the government has made Proficiency of the Local Language mandatory for selection which according to him would protect the rights and interests of the local people.
“Disbursal under Pragyan Bharti has been made under Phase-I as the rest of the eligible admissions like CUET and others will be entitled to the financial benefits under the scheme in the month of September,” he said.
Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, VC Cotton University Prof. Ramesh Chandra Deka, VC Bodoland University Prof. Babulal Ahuja, VC KKHSOU Prof. Rajendra Das, VC Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University and Bhattadev University Prahlad Joshi, VC Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore University Prof. Amalendu Chakraborty, VC Madhavdev University Prof. Arup Jyoti Chowdhury, VC Majuli the University of Culture Prof. Nirode Baruah, VC Birangana Sati Sadhani Rajyik Vishwavidyalaya, Prof. G Singaiah, VC Assam Women University Prof. Ajanta Borgohain Rajkonwar and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI)
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