Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam launched the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, a program designed to empower 40 lakh members of self-help groups (SHGs) to become micro-entrepreneurs in rural areas and support them in becoming "lakhpati baidos (elder sister)". The program, which is expected to cost Rs 4,000 crore, will be made available to SHG members who agree to combine their group activity with the development of a personal business plan. In order to assist each eligible woman applicant in achieving her "lakhpati" objective, each will receive Rs 35,000 over the course of three years.
The chief minister further added that Assam is committed to controlling the state's population increase. "All our welfare schemes will be linked to population control measures for the benefit of our mothers and sisters", he stated.
The government scheme is nonrefundable and the amount they received needs to be repaid. Each beneficiary will receive a total of Rs 25,000 over the next two years, comprising Rs 12,500 from the government and also an additional amount of Rs 10,000 in the following year.
The beneficiaries will have to submit a business plan, to get the amount from the government.
However, there are a few criteria that they must meet; such as the individual should not have more than three children in general and OBC categories whereas the SC & ST categories should not have more than 4 children. The girl child or children of SHG members should be enrolled in school if they reach the age of 18.
The next criterion mentioned is under the Amrit Brikshya Andolan scheme, which requires surviving trees planted by beneficiaries. Application forms are available at panchayat offices, and no photostats will be accepted. This scheme will help 40 lakh women.
The chief minister announced that new ration cards will be distributed to 10,73,479 households starting January 16, including 42,85,745 individuals. 23.2 million out of 25.2 million beneficiaries have already received them.
