Chhattisgarh Launches Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana: Free Transportation for College Students
- Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Unveils Initiative to Aid Over 1 Lakh Students
- Scheme Eases Travel for Rural Students Pursuing Higher Education
- Government and Bus Operators Share Expenditure of Approximately Rs 110 Crore
TFP Bureau, Raipur; Oct 07, 2023: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana in a ceremony held at his residential office on Saturday. This initiative, launched following the Chief Minister’s announcement, provides free transportation for college students commuting from their homes to their educational institutions. The scheme is poised to benefit more than one lakh students enrolled in colleges and universities across the state.
Addressing the students during the launch, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed his congratulations and remarked, “I had promised you that the government would provide free transportation for students traveling to and from college. Today, we fulfill that promise by introducing the Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced by students hailing from remote areas, he continued, “I can very well understand the difficulties students face in traveling from remote places to study in college. Students from poor and middle-class families have to face even more difficulties. Our manifesto promised to provide free transport facilities to the students, and this facility is being initiated today.”
The Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana aims to extend its benefits to over one lakh students attending government colleges and universities. With an estimated financial outlay of approximately Rs 110 crore, the scheme’s costs will be equally shared between the state government and bus operators.
Reflecting on the state’s commitment to enhancing education, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel noted, “In the last five years, we have taken significant steps to ensure excellent education, from primary schools to colleges. Under the Swami Atmanand Excellent School Scheme, 753 English and Hindi-medium schools are being operated in the state. More than 4 lakh students were given free admission to these schools.”
How Students Can Benefit:
To avail of the Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana’s benefits, students can apply for a bus pass through their college and specific routes on the website. The college will review and approve or reject applications after verifying all details. Approved students can then log in, download their bus pass containing a QR code, and retain a printed copy. Bus conductors will check the pass, ensuring students are transported from home to college and back.
Impact and Benefits:
This initiative significantly eases students’ journeys from their homes to colleges, eliminating travel expenses and saving time. It also enhances financial accessibility to higher education, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana aligns with broader social inclusion goals.
During the program, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also highlighted various educational initiatives taken by the government in recent years. Over 30,000 teachers have been recruited to address teacher shortages in government schools across the state. Additionally, colleges have appointed 1252 assistant professors, 40 librarians, and 39 sports officers. The Swami Atmanand Coaching Scheme offers free coaching for 12th-grade students preparing for NEET and JEE entrance examinations.
The state has also witnessed substantial growth in its educational infrastructure, with 83 new colleges established in the last five years. Existing colleges have seen seat increases totaling 23,500. Moreover, the government opened ten new girls’ colleges at district headquarters and introduced ten English-medium colleges statewide. Notably, college admissions have surged from 2,26,373 students in 2018-19 to 3,35,139 students in 2022-23, reflecting the improved educational environment and opportunities provided by the government.
The program, attended by Minister Anila Bhediya, MLA Lakheshwar Baghel, Secretary to the Chief Minister Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi, Higher Education Commissioner Sharda Verma, college principals, and students, celebrated the state’s commitment to providing quality education and a promising future for its students.
