Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 10 (HBTV): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday disbursed INR 68.44 crore to 349 institutions as part of phase-I of the Pragyan Bharti scheme at a function held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati. 

It may be noted that with the distribution, nearly one lakh students secured the way forward towards free education under the state government's policy to ensure free higher education to poor and middle-class students.  

Launched in the year 2016-17, till 2023-24, a total of 22,30,257 students availed benefits from the scheme.  

With the aim to increase the gross enrolment ratio in higher education in the state, Dr Sarma said at the event, the Pragyan Bharti scheme was started during 2016-17. 

"However, subsequently the scheme has been replicated to cover the students of higher secondary and postgraduate. Under the scheme, besides 1,38,085 students in the year 2016-17, a total of 2,94,633 students got benefitted in the year 2023-24. These statistics prove the success of Pragyan Bharti in the state. Stating on the use of technology for admission in the institutions of higher education," Dr. Sarma said. 

Sarma said that using 'Samarth Portal' 2,28,399 students have applied for admission and 85.2 per cent of students got admission. 

"Technology and AI have a great role to play in the future education system. Therefore, State government, using the technology 'Samarth Portal' has tried to make the entire process of admission clean and hassle-free," Sarma said.

The chief minister further said that the state government has taken a series of steps for the intellectual development of the students. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.