TFP Bureau, Raipur; August 30, 2024: In a landmark initiative to enhance educational opportunities for students in Maoist-affected districts, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai announced the provision of interest-free loans for those pursuing technical and vocational education. This move, under the “Chief Minister’s Higher Education Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme,” aims to support students from economically weaker families, particularly in the state’s most vulnerable regions.
The scheme will provide interest-free loans to students from Maoist-affected districts such as Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, and others. For students from other districts, the loans will carry a minimal interest rate of 1%. The initiative covers 35 technical and vocational courses at the diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, with a maximum loan limit of Rs 4 lakhs.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, overseeing the scheme’s implementation, stated that the Department of Technical Education has been designated as the nodal department. The program is designed to ensure that students from families earning less than Rs 2 lakhs annually can access higher education without financial strain. The state government will subsidize the interest directly with banks, provided that students maintain regular loan repayments.
The Chief Minister has also directed district collectors to launch campaigns to maximize student participation in this scheme, ensuring that eligible students are informed and can benefit from these financial aids. Students must be permanent residents of Chhattisgarh, enrolled in recognized courses, and meet the income criteria to qualify.
This initiative is a significant step towards empowering the youth of Chhattisgarh, particularly in regions with limited educational resources, by providing them with the financial means to pursue their academic goals and build brighter futures.
