Fact Check: Assam Government Announced 100% Free Admission To Colleges Amid COVID-19?
Writer: Aditi Chattopadhyay (Fact Checker)
Aditi, part of the fact checking team of The Logical Indian likes to read, write, cook and laugh, in short live life as it is supposed to be. What makes her fascinated is to discover the truth behind a story and more often than not, it is either fact or myth at the end.
Assam, 12 Jun 2020 12:54 AM GMT
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The Logical Indian Fact Check team investigates the claim that the Assam government has announced 100% free admission in colleges for up to post-graduation level.
A graphic is being circulated online which claims that the state government of Assam has announced 100% free admission for students in colleges up to the postgraduate level.
The graphic also contains a quote by Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Below is the text from the viral graphic:
"No colleges are allowed to charge any student for anything. No Saraswati Puja charges, no excursion fees, no prospectus fees. If any colleges are found charging students for anything during the admission, strict actions will be taken against them," informed Sarma.
The Logical Indian received a request on its Fact Check number to verify the claims made in the graphic.
Sir can u able to gve free admission to the students of nagaland?.... Even Assam govt s ready to gve free admission to students !!!! M rli tnks to Assam govt dt they think about da future generations.. pic.twitter.com/FXn93TXtA0
— M...... sema naga (@Tombo55716821) June 8, 2020
Claim:
Assam government has announced 100% free admission in colleges for up to post-graduation level.
Fact Check:
The claim is true.
According to a Hindustan Times report, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on June 7 that admission to universities, colleges and higher secondary schools in Assam will be free during the current academic year.
The move is to ensure that there is no additional burden on parents who are already under strain due to the COVID-19 lockdown. He added that there will be no hidden costs.
"Students from the higher secondary to the postgraduate level, including medical, engineering and polytechnic students, will be admitted to institutes for free," Sarma was quoted as saying a day after the results for Class 10 state board examinations were announced only on online platforms.
It was also stated that the prospectus and admission forms will be available online free of cost.
For those staying in hostels, the Education Department will also pay Rs 1,000 as monthly mess dues and an additional amount of Rs 1,000 will be provided to all students for buying textbooks.
"All the students must mention their bank details in the admission forms so that the matter can be taken up from the initial stage and there is no delay in depositing money in their bank accounts," he said.
Students who passed the Class 10 examinations last year will be given computers in their school and those who have cleared the test this year will get Rs 20,000 so that they can buy computers of their choice, Sarma said.
Below is a statement from the minister:
#AssamEduCare Extremely pleased to share GOA has made ALL admissions - from HS upto PG level including medical, engineering, polytechnic for academic year 2020-21 - absolutely free. Under stress due to #COVID19, this shall be big relief to families. All prospectus will be free. pic.twitter.com/8jCEmBEbqM
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 7, 2020
The exact quote mentioned in the graphic was found in a report by the Barak Bulletin which is a hyperlocal media outlet. Located in the southern region of Assam, Barak Valley is named after the Barak river. Silchar is the main city of the valley.
"No colleges are allowed to charge any student for anything. No Saraswati Puja charges, no excursion fees, no prospectus fees. If any colleges are found charging students for anything during the admission, strict actions will be taken against them," informed Sarma.
Therefore, the Assam government has indeed announced 100% free admission in colleges for up to post-graduation level for this current year.
If you have any news that you believe needs to be fact-checked, please email us at factcheck@thelogicalindian.com or WhatsApp at 6364000343.
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