GUWAHATI, Feb 12 - Launching two scholarship schemes for students, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said the State government is working to make higher education completely free, including taking care of the �hidden costs�.
Sarma was speaking at a function organised to launch the Gyan Deepika Scholarship announced in the State Budget 2019-20. Under the scheme, the State government would provide subsidy of Rs 700 per month for 10 months through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on dues to 13,414 hostel students of government colleges and State universities.
The Government of Assam also launched the HPC Scholarship Scheme to provide financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh to students whose parents are currently employed in Hindustan Paper Corporation�s units at Panchgram and Jagiroad. The amount varies for students of different categories.
�The two schemes by Government of Assam are of significant importance in providing financial relief to families with children who aspire to pursue higher education. The government has taken measures which will ensure that higher education too is completely free and there are no hidden costs for students. Parents should not spend a single penny for education of their students, including their pocket money,� Sarma said.
Speaking at the function, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the State government is putting efforts to develop the personality of students who are academically brilliant, socially conscious and professionally successful.