Chief Minister Champai Soren unveiled two innovative programs on Monday to improve Jharkhand students’ access to higher education. The declaration was made at Ranchi’s Tana Bhagat Stadium at a packed inaugural ceremony. The Manki Munda Scholarship and the Guruji Student Credit Card are programs aimed at reducing the financial obstacles frequently keeping students from college.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to education, Chief Minister Soren stated, “This is a significant day for Jharkhand as the government has started two major schemes to remove the hurdles in how students pursue higher education.” The Guruji Student Credit Card scheme will provide students with access to collateral-free education loans of up to Rs 15 lakh at an annual interest rate of 4 per cent. Remarkably, the repayment of these loans will only begin one year after course completion, with the government acting as the guarantor.
In a similar vein, the Manki Munda Scholarship scheme is aimed specifically at encouraging female students to engage in technical education. Under this scheme, eligible female students will receive annual financial support of Rs 15,000 for diploma courses and Rs 30,000 for engineering courses. According to the Chief Minister, around 1,200 students have registered for the Guruji Student Credit Card, while 800 have enrolled for the Manki Munda Scholarship.
During the event, Chief Minister Soren personally handed out credit cards and scholarships to two students from each scheme in a symbolic gesture of the government’s support. He underscored the importance of higher education for the development of children from labour and farming backgrounds, aligning with his vision for a developed Jharkhand.
Additionally, Chief Minister Soren highlighted the Mukhyamantri Shiksha Protsahan Yojna, another initiative offering a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 to assist students with their living expenses during coaching periods. This ensures that financial constraints do not hinder students’ educational endeavours.
Emphasising the transformative power of education, Soren remarked, “Education is important as without it, development in family, society, and state is impossible.” In a further commitment to promoting education and innovation, the Chief Minister inaugurated a newly constructed 3D theatre at the regional science center in Ranchi, marking another step towards fostering a culture of learning and creativity in the state.
