GUWAHATI: In a significant development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the Assam government will extend financial assistance to more than 4.3 million beneficiaries through the Orunodoi scheme. This initiative, amounting to a total of Rs. 384 crore, will be directly deposited into the bank accounts of primarily female recipients to help them meet their essential needs.
On social media, CM Sarma highlighted the importance of this day, stating, “It’s the 10th of April, and like every month, today is Pension and Orunodoi Day in Assam, our most comprehensive Jan Kalyan effort.” He reiterated that this program reflects the government’s steadfast dedication to social welfare. The Orunodoi scheme, designed to provide financial support to women, has been integrated with ration cards to mitigate fraudulent claims.
Recently, the state government issued 2 million new ration cards in Assam to enhance transparency in the distribution process. Furthermore, CM Sarma underscored the government’s commitment to food security, noting that the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which was implemented in December 2015, currently benefits 25.1 million individuals.
He pointed out that 85 percent of the rural population and 60 percent of urban residents qualify for ration cards. To promote fair distribution, the integration of ration cards with Aadhaar has resulted in the issuance of an additional 6 million cards, enabling biometric verification for the distribution of free rice. The successful implementation of the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ initiative allows beneficiaries to access essential provisions across the country.
The Chief Minister assured that stringent measures are in place to prevent fraudulent claims, ensuring that only deserving individuals receive their rightful benefits. Additionally, families holding ration cards will be eligible for free medical treatment up to Rs. 500,000 under the Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam schemes.
