The Tamil Nadu government announced that it would provide Rs 1,000 every month to girl students from government schools until they complete an undergraduate degree, certificate, or ITI course without any gaps. This is intended to encourage girls from low-income families to pursue higher education.
Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Marriage Assistance Scheme is being turned into the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme, according to finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan's budget address.
"All female students who studied in government schools from grades IV to XII would be paid Rs 1,000 per month directly into their bank accounts till they complete their undergraduate degree, diploma, or ITI courses without interruption." said the minister.
The implementation of the existing schemes of EVR Maniammaiyar Memorial Widow's Daughter Marriage Assistance Scheme, Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Memorial Inter-Caste Marriage Assistance Scheme, Annai Teresa Orphan Girls Marriage Assistance Scheme and Dr Dharmambal Ammaiyar Memorial Widow Remarriage Assistance Scheme would continue without any change.
“The students will be eligible for this in addition to other scholarships,” added the minister.
Through this program, approximately six lakh girl students can potentially benefit every year. For this government scheme, Rs 698 crore has been allotted in this budget.
The marriage assistance scheme was started in 1989 by former chief minister M Karunanidhi to promote education and support the marriage of girls from poor families. Under the scheme, Rs 25,000 and an eight-gram gold coin used to be distributed for girls who completed Class X.
The new scheme is being launched to recognize that the enrolment rate of female students from government schools in higher education is very low.
