India, June 12 -- Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M John has announced that the state government will implement a monthly stipend of Rs.1,000 for all college-going girl students during the current academic year. The scheme was a key election promise made by the Congress-led UDF and will be included in the upcoming state budget.

The minister said preliminary work for the initiative has already begun, but detailed guidelines will be announced in the budget session. He added that the financial support scheme is part of the UDF's broader set of "five guarantees" promised ahead of the Assembly elections.

John also responded to criticism from the Opposition regarding alleged interference by the Governor in Kerala universities, stating t...