NUMALIGARH: Amid allegations of widespread irregularities and discrepancies associated with the Orunodoi 3.0 Scheme across various regions of the state, hundreds of women, led by the Satra Mukti Sangram Samiti (SMSS), gathered in protest today outside the offices of the Marangi Development Block and Marangi Revenue Circle. This demonstration was aimed at highlighting significant irregularities and the exclusion of eligible beneficiaries in 11 Gaon Panchayats within the Marangi Development Block of the Khumtai Assembly Constituency.
The protest was spearheaded by Pintu Gogoi, the Central Assistant General Secretary of SMSS and an engaged youth from the Greater Marangi area. Participants included numerous widowed women, individuals with disabilities, and members of extremely low-income families holding ration cards, all of whom earn less than Rs 2 lakh annually. Addressing the crowd, student leader Pintu Gogoi stated, “The Assam Government’s Orunodoi Scheme 3.0 has unjustly deprived eligible beneficiaries.
This situation arises from BJP party leaders and workers creating their own lists in villages, unfairly favoring their party affiliates over those who are genuinely qualified. Consequently, many deserving individuals from the 11 panchayats in the Marangi Development Block have been denied the benefits of the Orunodoi Scheme. Therefore, today, numerous widows, differently-abled individuals, and impoverished families with ration cards have taken to the streets to assert their rights. We will continue to protest vigorously at the Morangi Development Block office until all widowed women, differently-abled individuals, and ration card-holding families are included in the Orunodoi Scheme.”
Gogoi further accused BJP leaders and their supporters of intimidating and coercing local villagers, warning them that failure to vote for the BJP would result in their exclusion from government programs, such as the Orunodoi Scheme and housing lists. He called for stringent measures against these unethical practices. Moreover, he stressed that the allocation and execution of funds for the Orunodoi Scheme should be managed solely by government officials and employees, rather than by members of political parties.
During the demonstration, the Marangi Development Block Office and the Marangi Revenue Circle Officer’s Office in Purabangla were filled with chants against the government. Eventually, Rananmoy Bhardwaj, the Marangi Revenue Circle Officer, along with Nirmali Terangpi, the Block Development Officer, came to the protest site and promised that all eligible beneficiaries who had been excluded from the scheme would be included without delay. The protesters agreed to disperse only after receiving this assurance. This protest, organized by SMSS, garnered significant support from the local community. Many attendees expressed their appreciation for Pintu Gogoi’s strong and logical leadership throughout the movement. At the end of the protest, all relevant documents were submitted to the appropriate office. Alongside Pintu Gogoi, Tapan Das (President of the SMSS Marangi Regional Committee), Pranabjyoti Bora (General Secretary), and other members of the regional committee were also present at the event.
