In a move towards rural self-reliance and women’s empowerment, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today presented scooters to 9,704 community cadres under the ‘Sakhi Express’ initiative at a function held at Veterinary College Field, Khanapara. He also launched the ‘Livelihood Rural Express Scheme’ to provide 51 commercial vehicles to Cluster Level Federations.
It may be noted that in the 2020-21 budget, State Government had announced Sakhi Express scheme to provide scooters to all Jeevika Sakhis. In 2022-23, the initiative was expanded to include all cadres namely Jeevika Sakhis, Pashu Sakhis, Bank Sakhis, CRP- Enterprise Promotion, Master Book Keeper, Internal Mentor, MSP Trainer, BDSP Trainer etc under Community Cadres. As against the distribution of 10,908 scooters to ‘community cadres’ in 2020-21 and 2021-22, 9706 community cadres have been given scooters in the year 2024-25 and 2025-26. Under the scheme, each cadre received a helmet along with Rs 500 per month for purchasing fuel. On the other hand, the State Government is trying to involve the members of self-help groups in rural public transport services with the aim of providing them with the opportunities of sustainable development.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Sarma said that women play an important role in the development and progress of a state. Therefore, the present State Government has adopted several important schemes with utmost emphasis on women empowerment. Referring to Orunodoi, Nijut Moina, Mukhya Mantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, reservation of seats for women in panchayats etc, Dr Sarma said that State Government is trying its level best for the empowerment of women at all levels of the state. He moreover said that as a result of various efforts of the State Government, a new generation of women has come forward today who have become role models in the society.
The Chief Minister also said that the efforts of the Jeevika Sakhis have brought about 40 lakh women to self-help groups and they are engaged in various productive activities. He said that about 3 lakh self-help groups in the state have received revolving funds worth Rs 556 crore, more than 2 lakh self-help groups have received community investment funds worth Rs 1,089 crore and about 7.50 lakh self-help groups have received bank loans worth Rs 16,000 crore. Terming it a huge success, the Chief Minister said that 99 per cent women beneficiaries of SHGs have repaid their bank loan. He also said that 8.82 lakh women entrepreneurs have recently elevated themselves to the rank of ‘Lakhpati Baideu’, initiating a transformation in the economic sector of the state.
The Chief Minister said that there are around 19,000 Jeevika Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis and other community cadres in the state. Of these, around five thousand Jeevika Sakhis failed to receive fund under Mukhya Mantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan owing to their having three or more than three children. He moreover, said that since Jeevika Sakhis are the role model of the society, they need to set example in the society by keeping the number of their children to two.
The Chief Minister also urged upon the community cadres to pay attention to prevent the incidences of child marriage. He, moreover said that those Jeevika Sakhis who are yet to receive the benefits of Orunodoi scheme for various reasons, will be brought into the ambit of Orunodoi and they will also be entitled to Rs 250 LPG subsidy per month. Dr Sarma also urged all community cadres who have received scooters under Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission to drive the vehicles wearing helmets. He said that the scooters that the Government has given to the community cadres will boost mobility, reduce travel costs and strengthen SHGs.
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Transport Minister Jogen Mohan, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, MLAs Atul Bora, Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Ramendranarayan Kalita, Naba Kumar Doley, Dharmeswar Konwar, Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota, Additional Chief Secretary B Kalyan Chakarvarthy, Mission Director Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission Kuntal Moni Sharma Bordoloi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.