HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 9: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed that several states in the nation had effectively adopted the Assam government’s flagship program, “Orunodoi,” which provides direct cash transfers to women.
He asserted that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Assam was the first state in the country to launch a cash transfer program specifically for women.
An eligible group of women receive monthly assistance of Rs 1250 directly into their bank accounts on the 10th of each month under the “Orunodoi” scheme.
“In 2020, Assam launched Orunodoi and became one of the first states to launch a cash transfer scheme exclusively for women. Since then, this scheme has been expanded. What’s best this has served as a model for many states to replicate such programs,” said Sarma.
With the intention of covering 37 lakh females in the state, the state government has been getting ready for the third installment of this ambitious scheme.
A woman who has a ration card in the state is expected to be covered by the “Orunodoi” scheme, according to Sarma’s previous announcement that the program will be linked to ration cards.
Before the third installment of the program was introduced, the chief minister presided over a review meeting to assess the program’s progress on Monday. He has given the official instructions to bring robust measures to identify beneficiaries which will be inclined towards the needy and marginalised.
Four years ago, the “Orunodoi” scheme initially provided monthly assistance of Rs 830 to 19 lakh recipients after its launch.
“Today, I chaired a meeting to review the guidelines ahead of the launch of Orunodoi 3.0, where we aim to transfer ₹1,250 into the bank accounts of 37 lakh women,” Sarma wrote on X.
CM Sarma mentioned that as per the new government guidelines, the most politically connected households will remain outside the ambit of this ambitious scheme by the state administration and an effective grievance redressal mechanism will be put in place.
“From ₹830 to 19 lakh beneficiaries in 2020, to ₹1250 to 37 lakh beneficiaries in 2024, I am extremely satisfied the way Orunodoi has evolved and the transformation it has ushered in,” he added.
