To add impetus to women empowerment, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Orunodoi 3.0 across Assam at a function held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in State’s Secretariat complex on September 19.
Under the scheme, altogether 37.20 lakh beneficiaries would avail advantage of the scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said, “Today, we have taken a massive step towards strengthening narishakti in Assam. I joined my mothers and sisters from 126 assembly constituencies to kickstart Orunodoi 3.0, to include additional beneficiaries and ensure more than 37 lakh families receive ₹1,250 every month in the State.”
“In Orunodoi 3.0, we will be prioritising destitute women, divyangs, widows, transgenders, and other vulnerable people to provide them with financial security. Families with income below ₹2 lakh are eligible to apply and the State Government will be spending ₹467 cr per month on this scheme.”
He said that together with NFSA (National Food Security Act), Orunodoi 3.0 will form a comprehensive social security net which will cover their nutritional, financial, medical and ancillary needs. This scheme was part of the promise to the people of the State prior to the Lok Sabha election.
Dr. Sarma said while he was the Finance Minister of the State, during the budget speech of 2020-21, the scheme Orunodoi was envisaged and designed to lend self-sufficiency, confidence, and self-reliance to the people. Dr. Sarma said that after the unprecedented success of Orunodoi 1.0 and 2.0 which touched the lives of around 24.60 lakh people, the addition of more than 12 lakh beneficiaries would really spell wonder to the lives of the people.
The Chief Minister said that the Government’s intervention with financial aid has helped people meet the crisis that stemmed from the unprecedented COVID pandemic. In the initial stages, beneficiaries were entitled to ₹830.
The Chief Minister stated that a survey during the recent Lok Sabha elections identified 10 lakh families that are yet to benefit from the Orunodoi scheme. It also brought to light families that required life insurance for their heads of households, and the expected number of beneficiaries under the Nijut Moina scheme.
Under Orunodoi 3.0, an estimated 12,60,000 families would receive assistance, with an average 10,000 families benefiting in each constituency. To qualify, previous beneficiaries of Orunodoi 1.0 and 2.0 must reapply, and only those with a ration card would be eligible.
The Chief Minister announced that with the launch of Orunodoi 3.0, the implementation process is proposed to be completed by January 2025, while existing beneficiaries of Orunodoi 1.0 and 2.0 would continue to receive their benefits without interruption.
He claimed that Government’s welfare measures such as the Orunodoi scheme, the Ayushman Card, and the Ration Card have been able to uplift over 80 lakh families out of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) tag in the State.
A district level monitoring committee (DLMC) shall be constituted to select the beneficiaries under Orunodoi 3.0.
