HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 10: Chief Minister on Monday announced that an additional 4,000 beneficiaries from Golakganj constituency will soon be included under the Orunodoi scheme, further expanding the State government’s flagship social welfare initiative aimed at empowering women and economically weaker households.
Sarma made the announcement while ceremonially distributing cheques worth ₹10,000 each to 23,336 women beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan at a programme held at Halakura HS School field in Dhubri district.
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Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the State government is working to empower 40 lakh women across Assam by helping them become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
He said that efforts are underway to include women who could not apply or were left out of the scheme earlier.
Highlighting Assam’s 40 lakh-strong network of self-help group (SHG) members, Sarma said the government’s vision aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Lakhpati Didi” initiative.
“We are striving to turn every woman into a Lakhpati Baideu,” he remarked, citing examples of successful SHG members such as Minu Ray and Mamoni Bala Ray from Golakganj who have become financially independent through small-scale enterprises.
The chief minister urged beneficiaries to properly utilise the ₹10,000 seed capital, either by pooling funds to start joint ventures within their SHGs or by investing individually in small businesses.
He added that successful entrepreneurs would later receive ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 as second and third instalments under the scheme.
Sarma also spoke about the government’s upcoming legislative measures, including a proposed law to prohibit polygamy, which is expected to be tabled in the Assembly on November 25.
He reiterated that such steps, though possibly contentious, are aimed at ensuring respect and security for women in the state.
On the Orunodoi scheme, the chief minister said that it has enhanced women’s dignity and household financial security.
Beneficiaries under the scheme receive ₹1,250 per month, while ration card holders get 20–30 kg of rice per month along with old-age and widow pensions of ₹250 and ₹1,250 respectively.
He also announced that the old-age pension amount would soon be increased.
Sarma further revealed that under a new initiative of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), families will now receive lentils, sugar, and salt at subsidised rates. The event was attended by Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, former MLAs Ashwini Ray Sarkar and Ashok Singhi, APTDC Vice-Chairman Banendra Kumar Mushahary, Kamtapur Autonomous Council CEM Jivesh Ray, and ASRLM Mission Director Kuntal Moni Sarma Bordoloi, among others.
