Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren launched two initiatives on Monday to improve access to higher education for students. Read details below
Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren launched two initiatives on Monday to improve access to higher education for students. Speaking at the opening ceremony held at Ranchi’s Tana Bhagat Stadium, Soren highlighted the significance of these schemes, the Guruji Student Credit Card and the Manki Munda Scholarship, in overcoming barriers to higher education. "Today marks an important milestone for Jharkhand as we introduce two major schemes to facilitate higher education for students," Soren remarked.
The Guruji Student Credit Card scheme enables students to obtain collateral-free education loans of up to Rs 15 lakh at an annual interest rate of 4 percent. Repayment starts one year after course completion, with the government acting as the guarantor, Soren explained. Similarly, the Manki Munda Scholarship scheme aims to encourage girls to pursue technical education by providing Rs 15,000 annually for diploma courses and Rs 30,000 annually for engineering courses.
Soren noted that around 1,200 students have already registered for the Guruji Student Credit Card scheme, while 800 have enrolled for the Manki Munda Scholarship scheme. At the event, the chief minister personally awarded credit cards and scholarships to two students from each program as a symbolic gesture. He stressed the importance of higher education for the children of labourers and farmers, emphasizing its role in realizing the vision of a developed Jharkhand.
In addition, Soren mentioned the Mukhyamantri Shiksha Protsahan Yojna, which provides a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 to students to cover living expenses during coaching, ensuring financial constraints do not hinder educational pursuits. He reiterated the crucial role of education, stating that without it, development at the family, societal, and state levels is unattainable. The chief minister also inaugurated a new 3D theatre at the regional science canter in Ranchi, underscoring the government's commitment to promoting education and innovation in the state.