Assam launches Orunudoi 3.0 covering additional 12.5 lakh beneficiaries

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 19, 2024

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday rolled out the flagship poverty alleviation scheme ‘Orunodoi 3.0’, covering 12.50 lakh additional beneficiaries for direct cash transfer.

With this, the total beneficiaries of the scheme will go up to 37 lakh.

Launched at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, the programme included live presentations at various locations across the region, highlighting its commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable segments of society. Orunodoi 3.0 aims to ensure financial stability and improved health outcomes for millions in Assam.

The Chief Minister also launched the process of including new members and renewal of the existing ones for the third edition of ‘Orunodoi’ at the programme.

The scheme, which is designed to empower women members of poor families, will deposit Rs 1,250 per month directly to their bank accounts on the 10th day of every month.

Sarma said: “During the Lok Sabha election campaign, I assured the people that the scheme would be implemented within 100 days of the elections. Today, I am proud to announce that the promise is fulfilled.”

Sarma claimed that only because of initiatives of the state government 80 lakh people came out of the poverty line.

“we began distributing ration cards on September 19, aiming to complete the process by November and by January, the final selection of beneficiaries for the Orunodoi scheme will be concluded,” Sarma also said.

“We are offering three schemes- Orunudoi, ration card and Ayushman Bharat card. We are directly assisting the underprivileged via the Orunodoi scheme, ration cards, and health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam initiatives,” he said.

“Under the Orunodoi scheme, beneficiaries receive Rs 1,250 per month, the ration card allows for ₹200 worth of rice and the Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam cards provide ₹5 lakh worth of annual health insurance coverage per family,” he also said.

“Previously, there was no government scheme offering such direct and holistic support to the poor. I do not want to bring up the old-age and widow pensions in this context,” the Chief Minister said.

In addition to health coverage, the Chief Minister said that ration cards ensure access to rice, and the Rs 1,250 from the Orunodoi scheme helps families manage expenses such as electricity bills, food, and minor medical costs.

“The Orunudoi scheme inspired similar DBT programmes in other states across India. Ledli Behna Scheme in Madhya Pradesh, the Mahtari Vandana Scheme in Chhattisgarh, and the Gruha Jyoti Scheme in Karnataka, and recent implementation in Maharashtra,” the Chief Minister claimed.

The ‘Orunodoi’ scheme was first launched on December 1, 2020, and the second edition of it was announced on December 14, 2022.

“A total of 19,92,167 people get new ration cards. With this, 2.6 crore people in the state will have ration cards and very few from poor families will be left out,” the chief minister said.

“To avail the scheme, the annual family income should be less than Rs 4 lakh, no member should have a government job and have a ration card. We plan to complete all formalities by January to deposit the amount thereafter,” he added.