40 lakh families in Assam receive ₹9,000 each under Orunodoi Scheme

Around 40 lakh families across Assam receive d ₹9,000 each on Tuesday under the state government’s flagship Orunodoi Scheme , with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stating that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to supporting women-led households.

The amount was transferred directly to the bank accounts of women beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the initiative aims to strengthen financial security and dignity for women across the state.

The central launch programme was held in Guwahati and attended by the chief minister. Beneficiaries from different parts of Assam joined the event virtually through more than 3,800 public programmes organised at Gaon Panchayats, Autonomous Council constituencies, Village Development Committees and Urban Ward Committees.

Launched in 2020, the Orunodoi scheme is a key poverty alleviation initiative of the BJP-led Assam government . Under the scheme, one eligible woman beneficiary from each family receives ₹1,250 per month to support basic household needs.

Earlier, Sarma had announced that payments for four months starting from January this year, along with additional financial assistance for the Bohag Bihu celebration marking the Assamese New Year in mid-April, would be released together in March. As a result, each beneficiary family received a total of ₹9,000 in a single instalment.

Speaking to reporters after the launch, the chief minister rejected allegations that the disbursement was linked to the upcoming Assembly elections. He said the scheme is targeted and limited to women who meet specific eligibility criteria.

“Unlike in other states, there is no mass transfer of benefits in this scheme. The transfer is limited to certain categories of women. It is a controlled scheme and not linked with elections,” Sarma said.

He added that if the scheme had been designed with elections in mind, the government would have made it universal. Sarma also said the BJP’s electoral success stems from the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi rather than welfare schemes alone.

Similar direct cash transfer programmes for women have been introduced in several states across India like Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra,Karnataka ,etc. with most providing between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 per month to eligible beneficiaries. These initiatives aim to improve the economic security of women and support household welfare.