Hundreds of women protest in Rupahihat, allege corruption in Assam rural livelihood scheme

Hundreds of women from self-help groups staged a protest at the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM) office in Singimari Development Block under Samaguri constituency of Nagaon district, alleging large-scale irregularities in the implementation of the Women Entrepreneurship Scheme.

The protesters alleged that despite running their self-help groups for years by selling eggs, ducks and other products, they were deprived of benefits under the entrepreneurship scheme due to the negligence of Local Resource Groups (LRGs), Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and officials of the Singimari block.

The women further alleged that Jeevika Sakhis, Sanjog Sakhis and Britta Sakhis demanded Rs 2,000 from each self-help group to facilitate inclusion under the scheme.

According to the protesters, those who refused to pay the money were excluded from the scheme and denied financial assistance.

As hundreds of aggrieved women gathered at the Singimari Development Block office seeking answers, they alleged that officials and staff abandoned the office, citing various excuses, instead of addressing their grievances.

The protesting women demanded a fair inquiry into the alleged irregularities and immediate action against those responsible, while urging the government to ensure that genuine beneficiaries receive the benefits without corruption or bribery.