HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Feb 17: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday distributed cheques to beneficiaries under welfare and self-employment schemes at KASA Stadium in Diphu, targeting traditional priests and youth from hill districts.
Under a special initiative to support traditional Karbi priests, Sarma handed over cheques to 7,298 beneficiaries, described as custodians of Karbi Aron Barim religious traditions.
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He assured that the remaining eligible beneficiaries would receive assistance before the upcoming Assembly elections and announced that annual support for the priests would be increased to ₹12,000 from next year.
Under the Chief Minister Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan (CM-AAA) 2.0 scheme, the chief minister also distributed seed capital cheques of ₹75,000 each to selected beneficiaries.
An additional ₹25,000 will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts after they complete a mandatory three-day training programme within their respective districts.
Officials said the scheme aims to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship, with plans to extend benefits to around 10 lakh beneficiaries across the state from next year, targeting roughly 8,000 beneficiaries per Assembly constituency.
The distribution programme included 457 beneficiaries from West Karbi Anglong, 1,000 from Karbi Anglong and 487 from Dima Hasao.
The event was attended by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, MP Amarsing Tisso, Karbi traditional king Longsing Ronghang, Cabinet Minister Nandita Gorlosa, and other council leaders and dignitaries.
Officials said the initiatives reflect the government’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage while promoting financial empowerment and self-reliance among youth in Assam’s hill districts.
