Assam Chief Minister Distributes Funds to Empower 35,199 Women

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has allocated Rs 10,000 as seed capital to each of 35,199 women in Tamulpur, part of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). This initiative, launched under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, aims to enhance the economic status of women by fostering entrepreneurship and creating a new wave of financially independent women, also referred to as ‘Lakhpati Baideus’.

During the event held on Thursday, Sarma emphasized the importance of women-led enterprises in driving economic growth. He highlighted that the program signals a transformative effort to uplift women in the region, drawing on the rich legacy of female leadership in Assam, citing historical figures like Sati Joymati and Mulagabharu. Sarma noted that while many women traditionally engaged in household duties, there is a growing movement among them to participate in business activities.

The Chief Minister conveyed that the initiative has already begun to yield results, with over 800,000 women in Assam becoming Lakhpati through various business ventures. He attributed this success to the establishment of self-help groups that have enabled women to access capital and cultivate their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Details of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan

Sarma explained that the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan aims to empower women by providing each member of the state’s self-help groups with Rs 10,000. The state government plans to invest Rs 4,000 crore to support this initiative, which has already benefited women across 45 assembly constituencies.

He urged the beneficiaries to utilize their seed capital wisely. The initial Rs 10,000 can be deposited into their self-help groups to create a corpus of Rs 100,000. This fund can be used for starting or expanding businesses. The Chief Minister also mentioned that after six months, the government will assess how the funds have been used, with the potential for additional support of Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 in subsequent phases if the funds are effectively managed.

Upcoming Welfare Initiatives and Development Plans

In addition to the seed capital distribution, Sarma announced the upcoming launch of Orunodoi 3.0 on December 12, 2023, which aims to assist financially vulnerable families in BTR through women’s empowerment. This initiative will benefit approximately 450,000 women in the region. Sarma plans to attend the event in Kokrajhar to distribute approval letters to the beneficiaries.

He also introduced new educational initiatives such as the Babu Scheme, aimed at promoting boys’ education, which will commence on January 1, 2024. Furthermore, he announced that families with ration cards would receive subsidized essentials, including lentils, salt, and sugar, alongside a new scheme for subsidized cooking gas cylinders for families enrolled in the Orunodoi program.

Sarma expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts of the state government and the newly formed BTC government will accelerate development in the BTR. He pointed to recent infrastructure improvements, including a new medical college and enhanced road networks, as evidence of ongoing progress.

The event was attended by notable figures including Biswajit Daimary, Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, along with other dignitaries and local leaders, underscoring the collective commitment to fostering economic and social development in the region.