Hemanta Kumar Nath: Ahead of the assembly polls in Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Assam government on Tuesday launched the biggest-ever Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme called ‘Orunodoi’, aiming to cover 22 lakh families in the state.
The scheme has been rolled out with 17 lakh families as beneficiaries at present. The government said that it will transfer Rs 830 per month to the account of one of the female members of the family under the ‘Orunodoi’ scheme.
After the election of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), the number of beneficiaries is expected to increase to 22 lakh families. The state government would need Rs 2,400 crore every year for the scheme.
Addressing a programme at Numali Jalah Parade Ground near Amingaon in Kamrup (Metro) district, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the state government is committed to build a socio-economically oriented women development narrative as the Orunodoi scheme, launched on Monday, will serve as a big fillip to the women empowerment.
“Based on the doctrine of Sabka Saath, Sabka Bikash and Sabka Viswas, the present state government, since the time of assuming the power, has been working for the socio-economic and academic development of all sections of the people. Our government sincerely believes that every resident of Assam should live with dignity and therefore, the government has been launching several schemes,” Sonowal said.
Stating that without the help and cooperation of all sections of the people, no government programme can succeed, Sonowal urged people, including the journalists, to extend cooperation and maintain a close watch on the performance of the government.
Sarbananda Sonowal further said that empowered women are the prime movers of the society and for the empowerment of women, his government has launched schemes like Indira Miri Universal Widow Pension Scheme, Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Scheme, Assam Gyan Deepika Scheme, Wage Compensation Scheme for Pregnant Women in Tea Gardens and several others.
Sarbananda Sonowal also said that for a society to move towards prosperity, education should be an important tool and therefore, he appealed to the teachers and parents to motivate their wards to pursue education sincerely.
Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarm launch the Orunodoi scheme. (Photo: India Today)
Terming Assam as the hotspot of biodiversity along with other verdant natural resources, Sarbananda Sonowal said that the human resources of the state should be academically empowered to make judicious exploration of the natural assets of the state.
Meanwhile, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that through Orunodoi scheme, the state government has cleared the decks for ensuring secured monthly income to the beneficiaries of 22 lakh families of the state.
“Under the scheme, widow, unmarried women, divorcee and people with disabilities will get special preference. Through this scheme, an effort has been made to bring about the overall empowerment of women in the state. The present state government has provided free enrolment to 7 lakh students along with launching the scheme of Insurance Cover for Students and others for the development of an academic atmosphere of the state,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarm ceremoniously handed over sanction letters to a few beneficiaries.
Principal Secretary Finance Samir Sinha gave the welcome address at the programme, which was also addressed by MP Lok Sabha Queen Oja. Minister of State for Tea Tribes Welfare Sanjay Kisan, MLA Hajo Suman Haripriya, MLA Kamalpur Satyabrata Kalita, MLA Palashbari Pranab Kalita, MLA Chayagaon Rakibuddin Ahmed, Commissioner and Secretary Finance Shyam Jagannathan and a host of dignitaries were present on the occasion.
-led Assam government on Tuesday launched the biggest-ever Direct Bene){kind=link}