Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: The Assam government is ending its free scooter distribution for top students. Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah confirmed the phase-out while presenting the 2026-27 State Budget on July 10. About 18,000 students will get their scooters this year, but that ends the Dr Banikanta Kakati Meritorious Award scheme for good.
State officials plan to redirect the saved cash into wider student welfare programs. The goal is to provide more balanced support for learners across Assam. As the government explained, the move aims at "ensuring broader and more balanced educational support for students across Assam."
Assam will restart the Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes this August. These programs already helped over 5.44 lakh girls with Rs 374 crore in funding. Officials expect another 5.30 lakh students to receive cash help this financial year.
The budget also brings back the monthly Rs 1,500 payment for 621 Udasin Bhakats. Small farmers stay in the loop too. They continue to get Rs 11,000 yearly through the Mukhyamantri Krishi Sa-Sajuli Yojana.
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