Guwahati, 03 September (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today presented cheques of ₹10,000 each to 5,791 women of self-help groups (SHGs) under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) at a function held at Kahikuchi in Azara.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Assam has nearly 40 lakh women associated with SHGs, with 50,000 such groups active in urban areas alone. He highlighted that SHGs have received bank loans worth ₹16,000 crore, of which 99 percent have been repaid on time. Over 8 lakh women have already earned more than ₹1 lakh through SHG-led activities.
Dr. Sarma added that MMUA aims to extend financial support to women not covered earlier, with each beneficiary receiving seed capital of ₹10,000 to strengthen entrepreneurial ventures. He urged the women to use the funds productively to qualify for further assistance.
The Chief Minister also announced that Orunodoi 3.0 will be launched this month, coinciding with the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under it, beneficiaries will receive a subsidy of ₹250 on LPG cylinders, while ration card holders will get rice, sugar, and salt at subsidized rates from November 1.
Highlighting the role of SHGs, Dr. Sarma said women’s leadership has ushered in prosperity in Assam and contributed to a decline in crimes against women in the past four years.
The programme was attended by MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Additional Chief Secretary B Kalyan Chakravarthy and other dignitaries.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
