DIBRUGARH, Jan 8: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday inaugurated the distribution of seed capital cheques of ₹10,000 each to 23,365 women entrepreneurs in the Khowang Assembly constituency under the Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurship Mission (MMUA).
The cheque distribution programme was held at the Rangchali public ground in Khowang, marking a major milestone in the state government’s flagship women empowerment initiative.
Addressing a large gathering, the chief minister said the enthusiasm witnessed at the event reflected how welfare schemes had “touched the hearts of the people.”
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He said with the Khowang programme, entrepreneurship funds under the mission had now been distributed in all Assembly constituencies of Dibrugarh district except Duliajan.
Sarma informed that so far 17,30,814 women across 72 Assembly constituencies have received financial assistance under the mission, while the remaining 15 lakh women will be covered in subsequent phases.
“Today’s distribution is only the beginning, not the end. Our goal is to make all 23,365 women of Khowang self-reliant and transform them into Lakhpati Baideus,” he said.
Highlighting the socio-economic impact of women-led enterprises, the chief minister said even an annual income of ₹1 lakh significantly enhances a woman’s dignity and standing within her family and society.
He also referred to the Orunodoi scheme, under which eligible women receive ₹1,250 per month, stating that it has improved the dignity of women in thousands of households.
Citing local success stories, Sarma mentioned Julie Lahon, a self-help group member earning around ₹21,000 per month through integrated animal husbandry, and Jyotsna Gogoi, who earns approximately ₹1.8 lakh annually through fruit cultivation.
He said Khowang already has 2,369 Lakhpati women, serving as inspiration for others.
Explaining the utilisation of the ₹10,000 seed capital, the chief minister said beneficiaries could invest collectively through self-help groups, start individual ventures such as livestock rearing, weaving, fisheries, agriculture or small businesses, or support family-run enterprises.
He added that a house-to-house evaluation would be conducted after six months, following which eligible beneficiaries would receive ₹25,000 in the second phase and ₹50,000 in the third phase, along with bank linkages.
Referring to other welfare measures, Sarma said 31,071 families in Khowang are beneficiaries under Orunodoi and ₹8,000 would be credited to their bank accounts on the 20th of next month.
He also highlighted free rice distribution, subsidised essentials, education support and transparent recruitment that has provided government jobs to over 1.5 lakh youths in Assam.
On land reforms, the chief minister said the government had recovered 1.5 lakh bighas of land from encroachment by suspected illegal settlers and reiterated its commitment to issuing land pattas to tea garden workers and indigenous families.
He also spoke about measures against polygamy and constituency-specific development works, including road projects worth ₹583 crore, flood protection embankments, bridges and flyovers.
“The women of Assam have awakened. A new Assam is visible today,” Sarma said, urging collective efforts for the state’s progress.
