HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 19: The state government officially launched the third phase of its flagship direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, Orunodoi 3.0, marking a significant step towards improving the lives of economically weaker women on Thursday. The launch event in Dima Hasao was graced by North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) chief executive member (CEM) Debolal Gorlosa as the chief guest, along with state’s minister for Power, Sports, and Youth Welfare Nandita Gorlosa, NCHAC chairman Mohet Hojai, and several executive members and members of the Autonomous Council. District commissioner Simanta Kumar Das and principal secretary Thai Tsho Daulagupu were also present at the occasion.
The event, held at Lal Field in Haflong, included a live stream of the centrally organised launch by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati. Orunodoi 3.0, Assam’s largest DBT initiative, aims to empower women by providing monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,250 directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries on the 10th of each month.
Addressing the gathering, CEM Debolal Gorlosa highlighted the updates in Orunodoi 3.0, stating, “The revised version of this scheme introduces new criteria for beneficiaries, with the Aadhaar card now being mandatory. This scheme has come to fruition thanks to the visionary leadership and efforts of our chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, ensuring financial security for disadvantaged mothers and sisters across the state.” Gorlosa further explained that, in addition to Aadhaar, a ration card is also required to qualify for the scheme, which is open to families with an annual income below Rs 4 lakh and no government employment.
Minister Nandita Gorlosa provided further details on the eligibility criteria, emphasising the importance of ration cards. She informed the audience that under Orunodoi 3.0, all ration cards will be linked to Aadhaar, and new ration cards will be issued to specific groups, including widows, families with unmarried daughters over the age of 45, divorced women, persons of the third gender, people with disabilities, and grandmothers residing in government old-age homes. These groups will now be eligible for the benefits provided by the scheme.
The launch event drew thousands of attendees, including beneficiaries from previous versions of Orunodoi. Among those present were Haflong Municipal Board chairperson Ripa Hojai, local officials, and members of the media, all witnessing the continued effort to uplift women and families in Assam through financial empowerment.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the state, the district administration of Nagaon officially launched the flagship programme Orunodoi 3.0 at Nehrubali field for the Nagaon-Batadroba constituency on Thursday.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma virtually inaugurated the programme from Guwahati, which was displayed live on screen. District commissioner, Nagaon, Naren Ch Shah, welcomed the gathering and explained the significance of the programme. Local MLA Rupak Sharma stated that Orunodoi is the largest scheme in Assam’s history and explained its guidelines, asserting that over ten thousand new beneficiaries will be covered in the Nagaon-Batadroba assembly constituency.
Similar programmes were also organised in other constituencies of Nagaon district, including Raha, Dhing, Rupahihat, Samaguri, Kaliabor, and Barhampur, where ministers, MLAs, dignitaries, and local residents participated.
Orunodoi 3.0 aims to add 37.2 lakh new beneficiaries across the state. Notably, 19,92,167 new ration card holders will be added under the National Food Security Act in 2024, an official press note added.
The programme was attended by Nagaon Municipality chairman Ambika Majumdar, additional district commissioner Manorama Marang, Nagaon Sadar circle officer K Ishan Singh, and other officials.
Our Kokrajhar correspondent adds: In a landmark move towards financial inclusion and social welfare, the chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Thursday officially launched Orunodoi 3.0, marking the largest-ever expansion of the state’s flagship Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) initiative. With this latest version, the scheme now extends financial aid to 3,720,000 beneficiaries across the state of Assam.
Notably, Orunodoi 3.0 represents a significant step in the state’s effort to deliver inclusive development and ensure equitable access to resources for all sections of society. The government of Assam and the BTR government remain committed to providing sustained support for those in need and driving progress and prosperity for every citizen of the state.
In Kokrajhar, the chief executive member of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Pramod Boro, graced the virtual ceremonial launch of Orunodoi 3.0 at the Khasibari playground amidst a huge gathering of citizens from Kokrajhar.
Addressing the gathering, CEM Boro expressed his gratitude to chief minister Sarma for the launch of Orunodoi 3.0, calling it a major milestone in the state’s journey towards financial inclusion and empowering its citizens. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of the central government, state government, and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) administration towards realising the dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
He expressed his gratitude and sincere thanks to chief minister Sarma for initiating the steps to provide the Orunodoi scheme to the needy people of the state with an expansion of financial inclusion. He termed the launch of Orunodoi 3.0 as a milestone for the citizens of the state, as people cutting across communities have extended their appreciation and praise.
“Today marked a momentous milestone in Assam’s Antyodaya journey, as CM Himanta Biswa Sarma officially launched Orunodoi 3.0, Assam’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer welfare scheme,” CEM Boro said.
“I was delighted to attend the virtual launch of this visionary scheme from Dakhin Kashibari Gaon playground, Haloadol, No 3 Kokrajhar, and No 4 Baukhungri Vidhansabha constituency in Kokrajhar district. Today’s launch marks the largest-ever expansion of Assam’s flagship DBT scheme, which will ensure a guaranteed social security of Rs 1,250 per month (Rs 15,000 annually) for 3.72 million marginalised beneficiaries of our state. Through the collaborative efforts of the Government of India, government of Assam, and our government of BTR, we will soon realise Adarniya PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” Boro added.
MLA Lawrence Islary emphasised the transformative impact of Orunodoi 3.0 and reiterated that all eligible individuals, including existing beneficiaries, must reapply to continue receiving benefits under this expanded version.
The program was graced by the presence of key dignitaries, including Kamatapur Autonomous Council CEM Jibesh Roy, MCLA Madhav Ch Chetry, Kokrajhar DC Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, ADC Wadiul Islam, BJP Kokrajhar president Kabita Basumatary, and other senior officials.
Our Biswanath Chariali correspondent adds: Like other parts of the state, the Orunodoi 3.0 scheme was launched in three LACs of Biswanath district on Thursday. The chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, centrally launched the mega scheme in Guwahati. In Biswanath district, the inaugural sessions were held at three places covering three LACs: Biswanath, Behali (SC), and Gohpur.
The inaugural session for Biswanath LAC was held at the Kamala Kanta Natya Samaj premises and was addressed by Biswanath MLA Pramod Borthakur. Dhruba Jyoti Das, ADC, delivered a welcome address. Similarly, the inaugural session for Behali LAC was held at the playground of Behali Degree College. Dr Neha Yadav, district commissioner of Biswanath, delivered a welcome address, which was followed by an address from Diganta Ghatowar. At the same time, the inaugural session of Orunodoi 3.0 for Gohpur LAC was held at the playground of Kalabari MV School, where MLA Utpal Bora addressed the session.
All three sessions were attended by officials from the district and subdivision administration.
Our Tezpur correspondent adds: After the successful closing of Orunodoi 1.0 and 2.0, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally launched Orunodoi 3.0 in virtual mode from Dispur Loka Seva Bhawan across the state on Thursday. In connection with the program, representatives from five LACs in Sonitpur district, including Barchala, Naduar, Rangapara, Tezpur, and Dhekiajuli, formally opened the program for Orunodoi 3.0, closely connecting with the beneficiaries from their respective event venues.
Joining the event virtually from Bhotpara Stadium under Dhekiajuli LAC, state cabinet minister Ashok Singhal formally opened the event. In his address, minister Singhal emphasised the need for a flawless selection process to ensure that no rightfully eligible family is left out of this ambitious scheme. He also warned that anyone found demanding money to include names as Orunodoi beneficiaries would face strict legal action.
Ganesh Kumar Limbu, MLA of Barchala, joined the program from Keherukhonda Rangamancha; Tezpur MLA Prithiraj Rava joined the program from Tezpur Church field; Rangapara MLA Krishna Kamal Tanti joined from Phulbari Banijyik Mela Auditorium; and Naduar MLA Padma Hazarika joined from Jamuguri Bahagi Mela Bakori to launch the much-hyped program. DC Sonitpur Deba Kumar Mishra, along with a host of officials from the district administration including CEO Sonitpur Zila Parishad Karabi Saikia Karan, ADC Garga Mohan Das, Kabita Kakati Konwar, and Tawahir Alam, along with the circle officers from different revenue circle offices, were present respectively in Jamuguri Bahagi Mela Bakori, Tezpur, Barchala, Dhekiajuli, and Rangapara as part of the program. In his speech, highlighting the criteria to avail the benefits, Naduar MLA Padma Hazarika said that the government and the concerned authority would strictly monitor to ensure no discrepancies occur in the process of delivering the facility to the genuine beneficiaries.
