Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 13 : Assam government's flagship women empowerment scheme, 'Orunodoi' scheme has impacted the lives of around lakhs of women in the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday.
While highlighting the story of Lakhi Rai, a beneficiary of the scheme, CM Sarma highlighted how 'Orunodoi' has been a "ray of hope," and a scheme followed by many other states.
In the video shared by the CM on X, Lakhi Rai said that before she received the benefits of the scheme she faced many hardships.
"Before receiving the Orunodoi scheme, my life was filled with hardships and struggles. Now that I am receiving benefits, I have found some relief. I run a small shop on the footpath. By selling goods on the footpath, I am able to take care of my children and manage my livelihood well," she said in the video shared by the CM.
https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1911293613293658541
According to the state government, the Orunodoi scheme, also called as Arunodoi, was launched in October, 2 2020. The scheme aims to give over 24 lakh poor households with monetary benefits.
Under the scheme, eligible women receive Rs 1000 on the first day of every month.
"Women being the primary caretakers of the family are kept as beneficiaries of the scheme. 'Orunodoi' scheme will provide Financial Assistance of Rs. 1000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to around 19.10 Lakh Families in the state," the Assam government said.
The selection of candidates is done at the Gaon Panchayat (GP), Village Council Development Committee (VCDC)Urban Local Body (ULB) levels, as officials look at the eligibility criteria.
The government provides Rs 400 per family for procuring medicines for family members, Rs 200 per family to provide for 50 pc subsidy in buying pulses and Rs 80 for 50 pc subsidy in sugar. Rs 150 is provided for purchase of essential fruits and vegetables.
Any family being a permanent resident of Assam having a household income of less than 2 lakh per annum is eligible for the scheme. Priority is also given to widows, disabled women, divorced/unmarried women and also women separated from families.
This scheme is similar to other welfare schemes launched by various governments, including the Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra; Mahila Samriddhi Yojana in Delhi; and \Maiya Samman Yojana in Jharkhand.