Assam Government’s Orunodoi scheme has been a boon to millions of women, across the State, who hitherto were worried about having some degree of financial security. Launched in the year 2020 for fulfilling one of the goals under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the scheme has empowered
women from financially backward families to
procure food items and other essentials from the assistance they receive every month. In what can be termed the biggest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) process in Assam’s history, the scheme ensures a transfer of Rs 1,000 directly to the bank account of beneficiaries by the 10th of every month. In the process, it has done away with middlemen from the scheme of things.
As if cash transfer wasn’t enough, the Government of Assam will also cover the electricity bills of beneficiaries with a capping of Rs 250 per month thereby raising the amount of assistance up to Rs 1,250 per month under the scheme. To avail the benefit, a beneficiary needs to be a permanent
resident of Assam with an income of less than Rs 2 lakh per annum. An added advantage is that the scheme has also linked them to the banking system.
A total of Rs. 187.96 crore is being released in the month of May to empower 18,79,615 beneficiaries across the State. The number of beneficiaries will rise by six lakhs in the current financial year thereby taking their number to well over 25 lakhs.
