Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced on Monday that over 71 percent of the more than 1.66 lakh students enrolling in various colleges across the state have benefited from the fee waiver scheme for low-income families.

Previously, students whose parents earned up to Rs 2 lakh annually were eligible for free admission. This year, the income limit has been increased to Rs 4 lakh, Pegu stated in a post on X.

Colleges now accept ration cards as proof of family income, instead of the income certificates required earlier.

“As of yesterday evening, 1,18,199 (71 percent) out of 1,66,123 students have availed free admission,” Pegu said.

Colleges and universities set their admission fees, but the State Fee Regulation Committee determines the upper limit, he added.

Dismissing reports of doubled admission fees, Pegu clarified that the state government does not charge any fees from college students and instead offers a fee waiver scheme for BPL (Below Poverty Line) students.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, sharing Pegu’s post, mentioned that the state government paid Rs 103 crore to various colleges for student enrollment last year.

Source: PTI

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