Guwahati, December 26: Assam government has launched a benevolent scheme to facilitate higher education for deserving students on Thursday at a time when the students’ community in the state led by All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) is spearheading the protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Abhinandan’ scheme by distributing subsidy sanction letters against education loans availed by students to pursue higher education in a programme held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here. Under this scheme, Sonowal ceremonially distributed one-time subsidy sanction letters for an amount of Rs 50,000 each to 1546 students.
Sonowal urged students to pursue their academic activities seriously to shine in today’s competitive world. He said that education builds strong foundation among students and helps them to successfully overcome all adversities in life. He also called for united efforts to develop a positive and healthy environment in society.
‘Abhinandan’ scheme would extend cooperation to students in pursuing higher education and to fulfill the dreams of their life. He also urged them to take a resolve to put Assam in the list of front-ranking states of the country with hard work, knowledge and service to society.
Chief Minister Sonowal said that Assam government took up a number of initiatives to maximize academic opportunities for students through scholarships, free admission into educational institutions, distribution of free textbooks etc. He further said that the State government aims to transform Guwahati as the expressway to the South-East Asian countries and to make this goal into a reality the youth of the State would have to prove their potential as skilled human resource.
State’s Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that students who did not apply under this scheme so far could avail the benefit of government subsidy by applying now also.