Daijiworld Media Network – Guwahati

Guwahati, Mar 9: In a major welfare initiative ahead of the upcoming elections, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, announced that around 40 lakh beneficiaries of the state’s flagship Orunodoi Scheme will receive Rs 9,000 each on March 10.

The announcement was made during a live address on Facebook on the occasion of International Women's Day. Under the Orunodoi scheme, launched in 2020, eligible women from economically disadvantaged families receive a monthly direct benefit transfer of Rs 1,250 to support household expenses.

Sarma said that meetings will be organised in every panchayat and ward across the state, including regions such as Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and Bodoland, where the funds will be distributed. He urged beneficiary families to attend the gatherings at designated locations.

According to the chief minister, a total of Rs 3,600 crore will be disbursed to beneficiaries in a single day, describing it as a record-scale welfare distribution aimed at recognising and supporting women across the state.

Earlier, Sarma had announced that payments covering four months from January this year, along with an additional amount for Bohag Bihu (also known as Rongali Bihu), would be released in March.

In a post on X (social media platform) on Sunday morning, Sarma said empowering women has been central to Assam’s development journey, highlighting initiatives in financial security, education, healthcare and entrepreneurship.

In another post, he said the focus of Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam has been on strengthening “Nari Shakti”, adding that the party will continue its efforts with greater commitment in the coming days. The Chief Minister’s Office also stated that the state has made significant progress in improving the welfare and opportunities available to women.