HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 1: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a 50-bed AYUSH hospital at Mikirbheta in Morigaon district.
He also launched the distribution of the first instalment of seed capital under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA), handing over cheques of Rs 10,000 each to 36,367 female beneficiaries of the Morigaon Legislative Assembly constituency, including 32,951 from rural areas and 3,416 from urban areas.
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The chief minister further laid the foundation stone for a new Circuit House in Morigaon involving an estimated outlay of Rs 15 crore.
The upcoming AYUSH hospital, to be constructed on 15 bighas of land, aims to promote traditional systems of medicine alongside modern healthcare.
The hospital complex will include a multi-storey main building with 40 general beds and 10 private rooms.
It will function as a modern, fully equipped centre for traditional, holistic, and alternative medicine, promoting preventive healthcare and balanced living.
Speaking at the event, Sarma recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jorhat nearly two years ago, during which he expressed his vision of empowering three crore women across India as “Lakhpati Baideos.” Inspired by that vision, the Assam government launched the MMUA to empower 30 lakh women through self-help groups (SHGs).
Urging the women entrepreneurs to use the seed capital judiciously, the chief minister explained that the initiative would progress in three phases.
Participants who invest the first instalment productively will qualify for subsequent grants of Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000.
He added that women can pool their funds to start group businesses or invest individually to expand their enterprises.
Pub Jaluguti, who established a food-processing unit and grocery store with an investment of Rs 80,000 and now earns around Rs 50,000 per month.
He also cited Jyotsna Khakhlari Devi of the Sanjivani SHG in Borbhagiya village, who became self-reliant through integrated farming and now earns about Rs 60,000 monthly.
These examples, he said, demonstrate the transformative potential of women’s entrepreneurship when supported through training and SHG initiatives.
Sarma reiterated the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, announcing plans to introduce a strict law against polygamy in the upcoming November session of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
Highlighting other state welfare schemes, Sarma said that the government continues to expand benefits under Orunodoi, Nijut Moina, and free education schemes.
He announced that from January 1, each Orunodoi beneficiary will receive an additional Rs 250 per LPG cylinder as financial aid, while ration cardholders will get free rice and subsidised sugar, pulses, and salt from December.
He further declared that an additional 4,000 eligible families from the Morigaon constituency will be newly included under the Orunodoi scheme.
“Once women become self-reliant and financially empowered, no one can disrespect them. They will be admired by all. Our government’s goal is the holistic welfare of women, irrespective of caste or religion,” Sarma said.
The event was attended by Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai, MLA Rama Kanta Deuri, Chief Executive Member of the Tiwa Autonomous Council Jibon Chandra Konwar, Chairperson of Morigaon Zila Parishad Pranati Kalita Deka, Mission Director of Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission Kuntal Moni Sarma Bordoloi, and several other dignitaries and beneficiaries.
