HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 14: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recapitulated the importance of women empowerment in the state on Saturday.
“Nari Sashaktikaran is not just a slogan but the cornerstone of our governance,” Sarma stated while addressing a gathering at Golaghat as part of the ongoing ‘12 Days of Development’ initiative.
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The chief minister also announced that No Due Certificates are being distributed to women to promote entrepreneurship and further bolster the economy.
“In the ongoing #12DaysOfDevelopment, we are distributing No Due Certificates to lakhs of women borrowers by clearing their debt and making them creditworthy. This will have a multiplier effect on the economy as more women entrepreneurs will be able to set up and expand their business, create employment opportunities, and drive growth at the grassroots,” CM Sarma said during the event.
These included No Due Certificates to beneficiaries under the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (Phase III, Category II), Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to those affected by the 2024 floods, and seed capital to self-help groups as part of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarma highlighted, “Under the third phase of the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme, 5,119 women borrowers in Golaghat have been freed from their microfinance loans. Additionally, financial assistance has been provided to 2,011 families affected by floods in the district, with Bokakhat being the worst-hit area, where 1,970 families suffered losses.”
He stated how 189 self-help groups in Golaghat had received seed capital through the PMFME scheme, marking an important step toward promoting entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency in the region.
“A development model powered by Nari Shakti, a dream of Adarniya Shri
@narendramodi ji will enable to realise our dream of a #ViksitAssam,” he added.
The CM emphasised that the “12 Days of Development” initiative is a concerted effort by the state government to reach out to people across Assam. “The initiative aims to engage with communities, hold discussions, and implement measures that directly address the concerns of the populace,” he stated.
The ongoing “12 Days of Development” initiative was launched on December 11 to accelerate Assam’s developmental progress and prioritise the well-being of its people.
The chief minister also distributed several key benefits to the community during the event. “Six key schemes are being actively pursued during this period to fulfil the public’s aspirations, with three schemes focused on students and the other three aimed at benefiting mothers,” said Sarma.
He also pointed out the launch of awards such as Dr Banikanta Kakati and Anundoram Barooah Awards for students, alongside the distribution of bicycles to ninth-grade students. He noted that members of the Assam Cabinet have been working tirelessly across districts to provide debt relief to women borrowers, offer assistance to flood-affected families, and distribute support to self-help groups under the PMFME scheme.
He also emphasised the transparency of government recruitment processes, including exams conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission, ensuring that even children from economically disadvantaged families have the opportunity to secure government jobs based on merit. “This merit-based approach has instilled a renewed focus on education among the youth, marking the beginning of a new era for Assam,” Sarma reiterated.
Sarma also outlined the state’s ambitious plans for infrastructure development, announcing the commencement of a tunnel road construction project from Numaligarh to Gohpur, with an estimated investment of ₹12,000 crores. He reaffirmed, “The state government’s commitment to strengthening Assam’s infrastructure, including the construction of bridges over the Brahmaputra, medical colleges, and universities, and the prompt repair of flood-damaged infrastructure.”
He also touched upon ongoing initiatives such as the Assam Mukhya Mantri Udyamita scheme, under which women in self-help groups would receive ₹10,000 in financial support, with plans to increase the amount to ₹15,000 in the following year along with assistance from the government in availing bank loans.
He added, “The government is working to distribute ration cards to 10,000 more families from every constituency in Golaghat and to include 1.5 lakh women under the Orunodoi Scheme, an initiative aimed at empowering women in Assam.”
The event was attended by the minister of finance Ajanta Neog, minister of agriculture Atul Bora, MLAs Bhabendra Nath Bharali, Biswajit Phukan, Mrinal Saikia, and other dignitaries.
Later on the day, the CM took stock of the progress of the Golaghat Integrated District Commissioner’s Office construction and issued directives to ensure its timely completion. He also assessed the ongoing construction of the Golaghat Medical College and Hospital, which is being built at an estimated cost of ₹ 582 crores, along with the Golaghat Cancer Hospital.
“With 52% of the Golaghat Medical College and Hospital already completed, the project is expected to be finished by mid-2026, marking a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare infrastructure,” Sarma said during the assessment.
Prior to his engagement in the “12 Days of Development” event in Golaghat, chief minister Sarma commenced the day by planting a pine tree within the grounds of the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy in Dergaon.
