GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the ‘Abhinandan’ Scheme with a view to help students in pursuing higher studies by distributing subsidy sanction letters against education loans availed by them, in a programme held at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Thursday.
Under this scheme, the Chief Minister ceremonially distributed one-time subsidy sanction letters for an amount of Rs. 50,000 each to 1,546 students.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal urged the 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 the society.
The Chief Minister said that the newly launched ‘Abhinandan’ scheme would extend cooperation to students in pursuing higher education and to fulfill the dreams of a 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.
Sonowal added that the State government has taken up a number of initiatives to maximize the academic opportunities for students through scholarships, free admissions into educational institutions, distribution of free textbooks etc. He further pointed out that the State government aims to transform Guwahati as the expressway to the South-East Asian countries; and to make this goal a reality the youths of the State would have to prove their potential as skilled human resource, a press release said.
Moreover, the Chief Minister said that the decision of the Union government to augment production capacity of the Numaligarh Refinery Limited from 3 MMT to 9 MMT has opened new opportunities for the youths in the State. He also urged the youths to avail of the benefits by improving their skills. He further urged the parents and the teachers to inspire and motivate the students to indulge in academic activities with seriousness and sincerity.
Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that students who have not applied under this scheme so far can avail the benefit of government subsidy by applying now. Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharjya, and Chief General Manager of SBI NE Circle Sunil Kumar also spoke on the occasion.