HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 24: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday ceremonially launched the distribution of cheques to 18,745 members of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Mukhyamantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan in Ramkrishna Nagar LAC of Sribhumi district.
The beneficiaries include 17,425 women from rural areas and 1,320 from urban areas.
Related Posts:
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the scheme aims to make women financially self-reliant.
Each beneficiary in the constituency is being provided a cheque of ₹10,000 as entrepreneurship capital to support small-scale income generation activities.
He said that around 40 lakh women in Assam are associated with nearly 4 lakh SHGs engaging in various livelihoods through government-provided revolving funds and bank support.
The chief minister stated that beneficiaries may use the funds collectively through SHGs or individually for activities such as dairy, poultry, piggery, tailoring or by investing in existing family-run businesses.
Utilisation of the funds will be evaluated, and those who use it productively will receive ₹25,000 next year and ₹50,000 in the third year, he said, adding that the goal is to create more “Lakhpati Baideus”.
He cited examples of successful women entrepreneurs from the constituency, including Sangeeta Singha of Tulsi SHG who became a “Lakhpati Baideu” through weaving and tailoring, and Niyati Bala Baishnab of Deep SHG who achieved the same through dairy farming.
The chief minister said that along with financial empowerment, the State Government is working to protect women’s dignity.
He said that after taking steps against child marriage, the government will soon enact a law banning polygamy in the state.
He also highlighted welfare initiatives like the Orunodoi Scheme, under which beneficiaries currently receive ₹1,250 per month, and announced an additional ₹250 for LPG purchase from January next year.
He further informed that while free rice is being provided under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the State Government will provide lentils, salt and sugar at subsidised rates to all ration-card-holding families from November 7.
He also announced that legislation to grant land pattas to members of the tea tribe community residing in labour lines will be introduced in the upcoming Assembly Session.
Sarma said several major infrastructure projects have been sanctioned for the Ramkrishna Nagar constituency, including ₹100 crore for road construction under Asom Mala, ₹12 crore for a stadium, ₹31 crore for a girls’ college and ₹20 crore for higher secondary school infrastructure.
He added that a medical college is being constructed in the constituency at a cost of ₹600 crore.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul, MP Kripanath Mallah, MLAs Bijoy Malakar and Siddique Ahmed, Mission Director of ASRLM Kuntalmani Sharma Bordoloi and other dignitaries.
