Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said his government has launched a slew of programmes so that at least 35 to 40 per cent youths can pursue higher education, which at present is mere 13 per cent due to poverty and dearth of institutions.
"It's really a sorry condition that youths who constitute a major section of Bihar's population are not able to pursue education after class XII and only 13 per cent of them go ahead with studies above that level," Kumar said at a 'Chetna Sabha' here on Indo-Nepal border while starting the fourth leg of 'Nishchay Yatra'.
Dearth of educational institutions and poverty in Bihar are the major reasons behind the low percentage of youths pursuing higher education, Kumar said and informed his government has launched a slew of programmes under its 'Seven Resolves' to lift the number of youths in higher studies to 35-40 per cent.
The government will provide interest-free loans of Rs 4 lakh through student credit card for them to pursue higher education, while youths in the age group of 20-25 years would be given Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for two years to search for jobs, the Chief Minister said.
Another programme is to provide free WiFi facility in all government colleges and universities, he said.
To overcome the shortage of educational institutions in Bihar which is resulting in flight of students from the state, Kumar said his government has decided to set up engineering colleges, polytechnics, ITIs for women, paramedical institutes and ANM College in all districts of the state.
In an apparent attack against the Centre over carrying out demonetisation "poorly", he said, "Unlike forcing people to stand in long queues outside bank ATMs, we have set up district registration-cum-advisory centre where youths would get a token on the basis of which they can enroll themselves to encash the benefits of these programmes in less time."
"We fulfill all promises made during elections unlike those who after coming to power term their promises as 'jumla' (sayings)," Kumar said.
He also asked women to keep a close vigil for continuing prohibition in the state in a successful manner.
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