HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 30: In a strong step towards strengthening women-led entrepreneurship in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday distributed cheques containing seed capital of Rs 10,000 each to 27,573 women beneficiaries from Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) for Sadiya Legislative Assembly at a programme held at Sadiya.
The initiative reflects the Government of Assam’s commitment to empowering women with financial independence and enabling them to play a transformative role in the state’s rural economy.
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Under the Abhiyan, in Sadiya constituency, 26,342 beneficiaries belong to rural areas and 1,231 to urban areas.
Addressing the beneficiaries at a programme held at Sadiya Government Higher Secondary School playground, chief minister Sarma said that through Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, the State government aims to build a new Assam where women can live with dignity as the pillars of their households.
Sarma stated that the state has about four lakh self-help groups involving over 40 lakh women.
Since the formation of these groups, women have stepped beyond their homes, established linkages with banks, learned about various government schemes, and begun taking active roles in community work.
He said that women’s self-help groups in Assam have borrowed nearly Rs 21,000 crore from banks and have been repaying their loans.
With about 99 percent of women repaying their loans promptly, Assam’s self-help groups have earned nationwide admiration.
Several groups have received invitations from other states to share their experiences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also invited Assam’s “Lakhpati Baideus” to Delhi to participate in Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.
The SHGs from Assam have participated in major exhibitions across the country, where they displayed and sold their products, earning wide appreciation.
The chief minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shared his vision of creating three crore “Lakhpati Baideus” in India during a meeting in Jorhat and had advised Assam to work toward empowering its women accordingly.
Inspired by the Prime Minister’s call, the State government, after due discussion with successful women entrepreneurs, launched MMUA to help women in Assam become financially independent.
Sarma highlighted how women, through their involvement in self-help groups, have strengthened both their families and the state’s economy.
Citing examples from the Sadiya constituency, the chief minister mentioned the success of Monika Das, a member of the Borshi Self-Help Group from Sonowal village No 1.
Using a loan of Rs 1 lakh through the group’s bank linkage and support from the State Livelihood Mission, she established a shoe and sandal business and now earns about Rs 8,500 per month, improving her family’s standard of living.
Similarly, Nibharati Gogoi, a member of the Jugamiya Self-Help Group from Kapoupathar, engaged in integrated farming.
With a combined investment of Rs 1 lakh and a loan of Rs 20,000 from her group, she ventured into fishery, livestock, turmeric, paddy, betel nut, and vegetable cultivation.
Recently, she added tailoring to her work and earns about Rs 12,000 per month.
The chief minister noted that the Sadiya constituency has many such inspiring examples.
The chief minister said that the State government has complete faith in the strength and capability of Assam’s women.
“History has shown that Assamese women succeed in every task they undertake and have always played a vital role in guiding society,” he said.
He added that to enable 40 lakh women to contribute to strengthening the market economy, the government decided to provide them with an opportunity.
Acknowledging that MMUA is a major step for a state with limited financial resources like Assam, he said that implementing the scheme required nearly Rs 4,000 crore.
Over the past two years, the government gradually accumulated funds and has now made the implementation of this initiative possible.
The chief minister noted that the present State government aims to bring positive changes to women’s lives in Assam.
He said that the government is moving toward introducing a law in the Assam Legislative Assembly to prohibit polygamy, which will be presented in the upcoming November session.
He remarked that the government’s strict actions against child marriage have nearly ended the practice in the state.
He observed that people are now witnessing the benefits of schemes such as free admissions, financial support for marriage, distribution of bicycles and scooters, and the Orunodoi scheme.
The government continues to increase the Orunodoi fund, and from January 1 next year, each Orunodoi beneficiary will receive an additional Rs 250 per month for purchasing LPG cylindeRs
He said that 30,000 families in the Sadiya Legislative Assembly constituency have already benefited from the Orunodoi scheme, as he announced that another 3,000 eligible families who have not yet been included will now receive approval.
Families with ration cards will also begin to get sugar, lentils, and salt at subsidized prices from December.
Speaking about development in Sadiya, the chief minister highlighted various government initiatives such as electrification of remote villages like Amarapur, road and flood control projects, and granting land rights to those previously deprived.
The administration is preparing to distribute land titles to 5,000 families in Amarapur.
He remarked that Sadiya has now developed into a growing and prosperous district compared to its condition in 2001.
Tea Tribe Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala, MP Pradan Baruah, MLAs Bolin Chetia, Sanjay Kishan, Suren Phukan, Mission Director ASRLM Kuntal Moni Sarma Bordoloi, and a host of others were present on the occasion.
