New Delhi: In a significant move ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a new financial assistance scheme aimed at benefiting students and recent graduates. The announcement was made during the celebration of Ashadhi Ekadashi Day in Pandharpur.
Stipend Scheme for Students and Graduates
Under this new scheme, students who have passed their 12th grade will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 6,000. Diploma students are set to receive Rs. 8,000 per month, while graduates will benefit the most with a monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000. This initiative is designed to provide crucial financial support to young individuals at various stages of their education, fostering better employment opportunities and aiding in their transition from education to the workforce.
“This scheme is a step towards empowering our youth by easing their financial burdens and helping them focus on their studies and career growth,” stated Chief Minister Shinde during the announcement. “We believe this will create a positive impact on the educational and economic development of our state’s youth.”
Free higher education for girls from EWS, SEBC and OBC
Additionally, the Maharashtra government announced free higher education for girls from economically weaker sections (EWS), socially and economically backward classes (SEBC), and other backward classes (OBC). According to the government’s order, female students wishing to enroll in government and non-government colleges, as well as open universities, can avail themselves of this facility. The courses covered include higher and technical education, medical, pharmacy, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and dairy development courses.
Female students from these categories whose family’s annual income is less than eight lakh rupees are eligible for this scheme. Both new admissions and students currently pursuing higher education will benefit from this initiative. This decision aims to increase educational opportunities for women, thus fostering greater gender equality in education and employment.
Additional support for Orphan students
Orphan students will also benefit from the new policies, as they will no longer have to pay tuition and examination fees for their studies. This order will be implemented for the academic year 2024-25, with a total cost of 906 crore rupees. However, students who have been given institutional quotas will not be eligible for this scheme.
Further announcements by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced several additional schemes during the cabinet meeting:
•Chief Minister Annapurna Scheme: Provides three free cylinders to women.
•Chief Minister’s Youth Program Training Scheme: Aims to enhance skill development among the youth.
•Chief Minister’s Agricultural Pump Scheme: Supports farmers with necessary equipment.
•Chief Minister’s Maji Ladki Behen Scheme: Provides eligible women aged 21 to 60 with a monthly allowance of 1,500 rupees.
The scheme’s announcement is perceived as a strategic move by the Maharashtra government to address the economic challenges faced by students and graduates. With rising costs associated with education and early career development, this financial assistance is expected to alleviate some of the pressure, allowing students to concentrate on their academic and professional aspirations without worrying about immediate financial constraints.
As the assembly elections approach, this initiative is expected to become a central talking point in political discourse, showcasing the government’s commitment to the educational and economic development of the youth in Maharashtra.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who has been serving as the 20th and current Chief Minister of Maharashtra since June 30, 2022, has taken this step as part of his broader vision for the state’s progress. Additionally, he has been the Leader of Shiv Sena since February 2023 and the Leader of the House, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly since July 2022. Shinde has represented the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency of Thane, Maharashtra since 2009, and previously served as the MLA of the Thane constituency from 2004 to 2009.
Mahi Saha
Mahi Saha, from Ranchi, reports for Neo Politico.
