Fulfilling its poll promises partially, the BJP-led Government in Assam on Saturday made the first year college education free for poor students of the State — a decision that will cost the State exchequer of Rs70 crore annually.
Announcing this, State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the Government has decided to waive the admission fees, tuition fees and all others fees in Higher Secondary (HS) and Three-year Degree Course (TDC) first year for those students, who belongs to families having below Rs1 lakh annual income. He said that the same will be applicable to all the provincial colleges of the State from the current year itself.
Free education for the girl students was one of the main agenda of the BJP ahead of the just concluded legislative Assembly polls in Assam, where the saffron party won a record 60 seats out of total 126 Assembly seats.
While the Government has fulfilled this promise, it now remains to be seen as to when the Government fulfills its another promise — to give scooty to every girl student who had to go beyond 15 kms to attend to her college.
“This is perhaps for the first time that a State in India has waived the admission fees and all other fees in HS and TDC 1st year course,” he said while addressing a Press conference at his office in Dispur today and added that this will cost the State exchequer with Rs70 crore annually.
He said that the Principals of the colleges will take certificate regarding income of parents.
“If the parents work in Government then their monthly salary slip will have to be produced. However, if the parents are working in private organization then the salary slips from employer indicating that their salary is not above Rs.1 lakh. In case the
parents do not work in government and provate organizations, then the certificate from the Circle Officer or Mouzadar will be considered,” he said adding that in addition if the Principal and the Admission Committee in their wisdom feel that the income of parents of a particular student or students is below or Rs.1, then the free admission can be given to those students.