RAIPUR,CG: In a major initiative to improve educational opportunities for students from economically disadvantaged families in Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh, the state government will provide interest-free loans for technical and professional higher education.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has asked officials that the ‘Chief Minister Higher Education Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme’ be expanded to benefit more students in these regions. A special campaign will be launched to ensure maximum participation.

Additionally, Sai has asked the collectors of other districts to extend the benefits of a one percent interest loan scheme for technical and professional higher education to eligible students from low-income families. The Technical Education Department has been designated as the nodal agency for the scheme.

The scheme includes 35 technical and professional courses at diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, with a maximum education loan limit of Rs 4 lakh. Students from families with an annual income of less than Rs 2 lakh, who are admitted to eligible courses, will be required to pay only one percent interest on their loans, provided they make regular payments after the moratorium period. The state government will cover the remaining interest amount.

The interest-free loan facility will be available to students in the Maoist-affected districts of Bastar, Bijapur, South Bastar Dantewada, Jashpur, North Bastar Kanker, Korea, Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon, Surguja, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, Gariaband, Balod, Sukma, Kondagaon, and Balrampur. To qualify, students must be residents of Chhattisgarh, enrolled in a state-recognized course, and have a family income of no more than Rs 2 lakh, as certified by an official income certificate.

The scheme covers a wide range of courses, including BE/B.Tech, ME, M.Tech, Agricultural Engineering, MCA, MBA, BDS, MBBS, BSc Nursing, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and various diplomas in modern office management, interior decoration, and costume design. However, students who drop out or are expelled will be ineligible, except in cases of medical interruptions for up to a year.

For more details, students can visit the official website at http://www.cgdteraipur.cgstate.gov.in.