Cachar: Continuing the Assam government’s push for women empowerment, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today distributed Rs. 10,000 each as seed capital to 19,318 members of self-help groups (SHGs) at a public meeting held at Labak Tea Garden playground in Lakhipur. Of the beneficiaries, 18,600 are from rural areas while 718 belong to urban areas.
Dr. Sarma highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help three crore women across India become “lakhpati,” noting that Assam alone has around four lakh SHGs with 40 lakh members. He cited inspiring examples of women entrepreneurs, including Nandarani Devi, who runs a beauty parlor earning over Rs. 1 lakh annually, and Ranjita Sinha, a dairy farmer generating Rs. 12,000–14,000 per month, as models of self-reliance under the initiative.
The Chief Minister explained that the initial Rs. 10,000 financial assistance is just a starting point. SHG members who use the funds productively can receive Rs. 25,000 next year and Rs. 50,000 in the third year, totaling up to Rs. 85,000, which is expected to significantly boost the rural economy. Investments can be made in poultry, cattle rearing, weaving, or small businesses, with collective capital helping groups access bank loans.
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In addition, Dr. Sarma announced new welfare measures: from November 7, families with ration cards can purchase pulses, salt, and sugar at fair prices, and Orunodoi beneficiaries will receive an extra Rs. 250 for LPG cylinders. He also highlighted initiatives for students, including free college admissions, textbooks, bicycles, and scooters, alongside efforts to protect women’s dignity, eliminate child marriage, and introduce a law against polygamy.
Dr. Sarma also outlined major development projects in Lakhipur, including road works, bridges, hospitals, colleges, and schools, with total investments running into hundreds of crores.
The event was attended by Ministers Kaushik Rai and Krishnaendu Paul, MPs Parimal Suklabaidya and Kripanath Mallah, MLAs Dipayan Chakraborty and Nihar Ranjan Das, former MP Rajdeep Roy, and several senior officials from the district and state government.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, rural development, and overall welfare, stating that initiatives like the Mukhyamantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan aim to make every woman in Assam self-reliant and economically independent.
