In an attempt to empower the grassroots women entrepreneurs and strengthen their role in Assam’s growth story, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as a part of his Government’s initiative of women empowerment, distributed cheques of `10,000 each to 14,301 women under Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) from Tinsukia Legislative Assembly constituency at a function held at Tinsukia today. Among the beneficiaries 10,654 belong to rural areas and 3,647 to urban areas of Tinsukia district.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that Assam has four lakh self-help groups (SHGs) with a total of forty lakh members. Before forming the SHGs, most women were confined to household duties. After joining SHGs, they gradually began sharing family responsibilities and contributing financially. Sarma stated that under the earlier Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Scheme, the State Government had provided revolving funds of `25,000 each to four lakh SHGs.
Later, the Government helped these groups establish bank linkages. Several SHG members can now access bank loans and engage in income-generating activities. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for women’s empowerment, Sarma said that the Prime Minister has envisioned transforming Indian women into “Lakhpati Baideus,” believing this will bring sweeping social change.
If each of the 40 lakh women in Assam start earning `1 lakh annually, the State will witness a visible transformation. Sarma added that the Prime Minister has set the target of making three crore women across India ‘Lakhpati’. In Assam, more than eight lakh SHG members have already achieved this recognition through their entrepreneurial activities such as preparing traditional food, farming Bhut Jolokia (chili), weaving gamocha and making garments. Some women have already managed to earn up to Rs. 10 lakh, creating ‘Lakhpati’ and ‘Maha Lakhpati Baideus’ in Assam.
Chief Minister Sarma moreover, said that the State Government has launched a three-year plan to help every one of the 40 lakh self-help group (SHG) members to become ‘Lakhpati’. He explained that Rs. 10 thousand rupees given under MMUA is only a starting fund. If members use it wisely, they will receive more benefits from the Government in the future.
He, however expressed confidence that the women beneficiaries would not misuse the money. He said that the Government would review the fund’s utilization after four to five months. Members who use it productively will receive `25,000 next year and those who manage that amount effectively will get Rs. 50,000 in the third year. The Chief Minister stated that providing `10,000 each to 40 lakh SHG members would cost the State Government about `4000 crore, while the next phase of `25,000 per member would require `10,500 crore.
Responding to criticism from the Congress party, Sarma said that unlike the Congress Government’s inducement like ‘lungi’, ‘blanket’ and threads, the BJP-led Government is providing free rice and up to `5 lakh for free medical care to every ration-card holder.
He added that college admissions have been made free, bicycles have been distributed to students and girl students in higher secondary schools, colleges and universities are receiving financial assistance under Nijut Moina Scheme ranging from `1,200 to `2,400.
Under the Orunodoi Scheme, families receive Rs. 1,250 per month to help them run their households. He further said that from November 1, ration cardholder families will also get pulses, salt and sugar at subsidized rates along with rice. The Chief Minister urged people to support the successful implementation of these Government schemes.
It may be noted that under MMUA, the Tinsukia Assembly constituency alone received over `14.30 crore today. Through this initiative, the Government aims to promote rural livelihoods by supporting women entrepreneurs in agriculture, animal husbandry, handloom, handicrafts and other sectors.
Of the total number of beneficiaries in Tinsukia Legislative Assembly Constituency, 1,771 women applied for poultry farming, requiring an investment of over `1.77 crore. A total of 1,559 women sought funds for goat farming, amounting to more than `1.55 crore. For
pig farming, 1,130 women applied, requiring `1.13 crore in total. Similarly, 1,087 women will invest over `1.08 crore in chicken farming, while 856 women applied for duck farming, receiving more than `85 lakh for the purpose.
Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Bora, Labour Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala, MLAs Sanjay Kishan, Suren Phukan, Bhaskar Sharma and Terosh Gowala, Director Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission Kuntal Moni Sarma Bordoloi and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.