The best yardstick to measure a State Government’s performance is how much it has empowered its people. Taking a step further, we can even rephrase the question by stating how much it has empowered women in the State. Keeping this in mind, our Government has been initiating proactive steps in empowering our women by bringing in reform measures to benefit them. Just prior to the Assembly elections in the State, we had promised that women across Assam, who had unfortunately fallen under a debt trap induced by the Covid-pandemic, would be given a loan waiver to bring them back into the creditworthiness category of the banking system so that they resurrect their small businesses as well as their societal prestige. In just over two years, the people of the State and elsewhere across the country have noticed how we have gone about implementing this promise of ours. In September, we completed the third phase of the AMFIRS 2021 Act by restoring the creditworthiness status of tens of thousands of our sisters across the State irrespective of caste and class, religion or otherwise. Again, our Government decided that over 3.69 lakh students of Class IX in Government and provincialised schools will be given a bicycle each to enable them to go to school regularly, and make their daily routine somewhat comfortable. Based on historical evidence, and our experiences, we realised how empowering a mode of transportation can be for a student. Especially in the rural and tea garden areas, we have noticed that because schools are situated at a distance, the weather plays a major part. Many students, especially girls, either drop out or fall behind in their studies by missing out on their classes. Next year, we propose to bring the students of Class VIII under the ambit of this special scheme. This will make them not only independent but also keep them healthy. Another of our idea of empowering our women folk is Orunodoi, the scheme under which we directly transfer a specific amount in their account based on specific criteria. Over 26 lakh women will now be able to avail the advantage of this scheme. We have anecdotal evidence to prove that this amount, now ₹1250, has been able to improve their health and take care of the education of their children. These small but significant measures have helped us bring back smiles on their faces while empowering them with the belief that they have chosen a people-friendly Government in Assam.
As I toured various parts of the State to offer my obeisance to Maa Durga, I came to know of the tremendous enthusiasm that Sanskritik Mahasangram has generated across the nook and cranny of Assam. The composite life of the people of Assam cannot be bereft of its cultural richness. To tap into the innate potential of our youth and to allow them to relate to their cultural roots, the idea of this mahasangram was floated. I expect that at least 10 lakh people will be part of this movement. I am sure talents will emerge from the hinterland of the State despite the most challenging of individual circumstances. In a similar vein, we have also rolled out Khel Maharan which is a mahasangram to be played out in the sporting arena. The outstanding performance of athletes from Assam in recent years will boost massive participation in the disciplines that we have chosen, and, in turn, will keep our flag flying high across India and around the world. This sporting event will touch the lives of 50 lakh Assamese youths, no mean feat. Sports and culture have a propensity to unite. I am hopeful that while the spirits will be of a competitive nature, the hearts of all will mingle for the cause of sports and culture. Our Government will continue to encourage such initiatives, come what may, as long as the enthusiasm of the people is there.
We have continued our development journey across Assam ever since we formed the Government in Dispur. In the month of October, I had the privilege of inaugurating several projects in the Bodoland Territorial Region besides laying the foundation stones of many. All these will make life easier for people and will prove to be stepping stones for their growth and development as well as the local economy. Projects are like fishing nets. If you cast them right, you will have a rich haul. This is what our Government has been trying to do all through. It is important for any Government to ensure balanced development of all regions. I have always insisted on this approach. It is so much easier to work in areas where growth is visible, and infrastructure is already in place. But that is not the role of a Government. I will term this approach lazy governance. Our responsibility is to ensure a balanced approach and sabka saath, sabka vikas, as has been envisioned by our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
