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Assam Aims to Make 40 Lakh Women 'Lakhpatis' Through Empowerment Drive

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a target to make 40 lakh women in the state 'lakhpatis' as part of a women empowerment drive. The initiative involves providing structured support, financial assistance, and skill development through Self-Help Groups. Government schemes like Orunodoi and ASRLM are already enabling women to earn through agriculture, weaving, and small enterprises. The CM emphasized the focus is on empowerment, not charity, ensuring transparency through direct benefit transfers.

Key Points: Assam CM: Target to Make 40 Lakh Women Lakhpatis

  • Target of 40 lakh women lakhpatis
  • Empowerment via SHGs & financial aid
  • Focus on sustainable livelihoods
  • Direct benefit transfer for transparency
2 min read

Assam to make 40 lakh women 'Lakhpati': CM Sarma

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announces a target to empower 40 lakh women to become lakhpatis through SHGs, financial aid, and skill development.

"The BJP government has taken a firm resolve to ensure that at least 40 lakh women in Assam become lakhpatis. - Himanta Biswa Sarma"

Guwahati, Feb 24

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the BJP-led government has set a target of making 40 lakh women in the state 'lakhpati', as part of its broader vision to economically empower women through sustained livelihood support.

Addressing a cheque distribution programme for women beneficiaries under Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district, the Chief Minister said women empowerment remains a central pillar of the state government's development agenda.

He added that financial independence among women is key to strengthening families and accelerating Assam's overall economic growth.

"The BJP government has taken a firm resolve to ensure that at least 40 lakh women in Assam become lakhpatis. Through structured support, financial assistance and skill development, women are being enabled to stand on their own feet," Sarma said.

Highlighting the success of government initiatives such as Orunodoi, Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM) and other SHG-based programmes, the Chief Minister said thousands of women have already started earning sustainable incomes through agriculture, animal husbandry, weaving and small enterprises.

Sarma said the cheque distribution drive is aimed at providing direct financial support to women entrepreneurs so that they can expand their activities and improve household incomes.

He asserted that the government is ensuring transparency and direct benefit transfer so that assistance reaches genuine beneficiaries without delay.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government has been working to create an ecosystem where women are not dependent on subsidies alone, but are encouraged to become contributors to the economy.

"Our focus is not charity, but empowerment," he added. Sarma also appealed to women beneficiaries to make effective use of the financial assistance given to them and assured them of continued government support in the form of training, market linkage and credit access.

Senior officials of the district administration, public representatives and a large number of women SHG members were present at the programme.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Setting a target is good, but the real challenge is execution. Hope the funds reach the actual women on the ground without middlemen taking a cut. Transparency in DBT is key. Let's see the results in the next 2-3 years.
M
Meera T
"Focus is not charity, but empowerment" – This is the right approach. When women in villages earn, they invest in their children's education and family's health. This has a multiplier effect on the state's development. Kudos for the vision!
A
Aman W
Skill development and market linkage are crucial. Giving money is one thing, but teaching them how to run a business and find customers is what will make them truly 'lakhpati'. Hope the training is practical and ongoing.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in rural development, I've seen SHGs transform communities. If implemented well, this can be a game-changer for Assam's rural economy. The emphasis on agriculture and weaving plays to traditional strengths.
V
Vikram M
Good step. But 40 lakh is a huge number. The government must ensure the support is sustained and not just a one-time cheque distribution before elections. Women's empowerment should be beyond political cycles.

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