The Assam government has decided to make bank accounts mandatory for all children up to Class XII studying in government educational institutions of the state.
The state government has decided to implement the policy of giving a direct benefit transfer (DBT) to students from Class 1-12.
The Axom Sarba Siksha Abhiyan Mission office has asked all district education authorities to initiate the process immediately.
“Bank account is to be opened for students from Class-I to XII of all categories of schools, including students of Special Training Centres, residential schools, KGBVs, model schools etc. It will be a massive exercise for the state. The whole exercise is to be completed by November 30, 2020,” said a letter sent by Samagraa Siksha, Assam MD B Kalyan Chakravarthy.
For all students, the bank accounts will be opened with zero balance.
For students below 10 years, it will be joint accounts operated by guardians.
However, those above 10 can operat their accounts on their own. Inspectors of schools and district elementary education officers, along with the district mission coordinator and district project coordinators of all districts of the state, have been directed to initiate necessary action.