Assam: Govt to launch Orunodoi scheme on Tuesday

GUWAHATI: Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will launch the 'biggest' Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, Orunodoi, at the Amingaon parade ground on Tuesday.

“One woman member out of 22 lakh families (with a composite income of less than 2 lakh a year) would be eligible for a monthly benefit of Rs 830 under the scheme which would not only empower women but eradicate poverty in the state,” Sarma said.

Talking to the reporters, the minister further added, “This is by far the biggest scheme in the state that any government has taken after Independence. We have selected 18.20 lakh beneficiaries so far under the scheme, barring those in the Bodoland Territorial Region as the model code of conduct (with the BTC elections scheduled from December 7) does not permit such a process as of now there.”

The minister said that the entire process, from the creation of a robust platform by the finance department to the beneficiary selection, has been completed by the state machinery in just two-and-a-half months.

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“In the near future, we plan to bring another 8 lakh beneficiaries under the ambit of the scheme so we can eradicate poverty in the state to a large extent besides strengthening the role of women in society/family,” he said.

“There are many widows, divyang (physically challenged), unmarried women and married women who are compelled to stay with their parents/ for various reasons. These women are unfortunately considered a burden to society. But this scheme will empower them to an extent,” he said.

So far, bank accounts of 17.6 lakh beneficiaries have been activated, he added.

Money under the scheme for November would be transferred to the accounts between December 1 and 6, 2020, while for December, the money would be transferred between December 26 and 31, 2020.

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