Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the state government will bring a bill to ban polygamy, proposing a punishment of at least seven years in jail for those found practicing it. The bill will be placed on November 25, the first day of the Assam Assembly's winter session.

This announcement follows Sarma’s earlier statement that several new bills would be introduced during the session. These include laws aimed at stopping polygamy and what he described as “love-jihad”.

At the same event, the government also announced the expansion of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina scheme. The programme supports girls’ education by giving monthly financial help to students.

Under the scheme:

  • Class XI students get ₹1,000 per month

  • First-year undergraduate students get ₹1,250 per month

  • First-year postgraduate and BEd students receive ₹2,500 per month
    All payments are given for 10 months in the year.

Sarma said the scheme has already made a positive difference. “Because of this scheme, enrolment rates have risen and dropout rates among girls have declined substantially compared to last year. A total of 3.5 lakh girls will benefit from the scheme this year,” he said.

The announcements show the government working on two key areas, law reforms and education support. While one move aims to change personal practices through legislation, the other focuses on helping young girls continue their studies.

As the winter session nears, the state assembly will now take up and debate these proposals.