Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Orunodoi 3.0 on Saturday, rolling out a suite of financial tools for 3.7 million women across the state. The updated program introduces interest-free emergency advances of up to Rs 15,000. Beneficiaries can repay these funds through small monthly deductions from future assistance payments.
The government is also creating a pathway for women to secure bank loans by pledging their Orunodoi entitlements. Under this plan, banks will collect loan installments directly from monthly welfare distributions. The goal is to steer women away from private moneylenders. As Sarma noted: "Suppose a woman suddenly needs Rs 2,000 or Rs 10,000 for an emergency. Instead of borrowing from moneylenders, she should be able to take that amount from her future Orunodoi entitlement without paying any interest."
Administrative changes are also underway. The state has completed Aadhaar-linking for all beneficiary bank accounts to fix payment errors and eliminate ghost recipients. While officials work to clean up records, about 17,000 beneficiaries may face temporary payment delays. To handle local grievances, the government will station an Orunodoi Sarthi in every Assembly constituency to assist with enrollment and Aadhaar issues.
Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah confirmed that flood-affected beneficiaries in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, and Jorhat will receive an extra Rs 2,500. Additionally, roughly 3.6 million women are contributing Rs 150 each to support flood relief. The inaugural ceremony at Panjabari’s Srimanta Damodardeva International Auditorium drew a wide array of state leadership, including Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania, various MLAs, and representatives from the Bodoland Territorial Council and autonomous councils of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
Comments