Assam CM disburses ₹31 crore to over 31,000 women under MMUA, counters opposition claims
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday distributed cheques of ₹10,000 each to 31,045 women beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) at a public function held in Jamugurihat, Sonitpur district.
The total disbursement of over ₹31 crore under the scheme marks one of the state’s largest direct financial transfers for women-led livelihood initiatives. Launched on April 1, 2025, the MMUA aims to strengthen Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and promote micro-entrepreneurship among rural women across Assam.
From welfare to enterprise
The Chief Minister said that the MMUA is part of a broader vision to transform women from welfare recipients into entrepreneurs. The scheme provides seed capital of ₹10,000 to each woman SHG member to help start or expand small businesses.
Sarma explained that the initiative builds on earlier state programmes such as Orunodoi, which provides ₹1,500 monthly to women beneficiaries, and the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), which supports SHG formation and training. Together, these schemes have created a strong foundation for financial inclusion and self-reliance among women.
The Chief Minister added that before the last election, when the state government launched the Orunodoi scheme, the opposition criticised it, claiming it would end after the election. “But instead of discontinuing it, the scheme’s scale, access, and reach have increased,” he said. “Besides enhancing the monthly benefit from ₹830 to ₹1,250, the government has also decided to provide an additional ₹250 for the purchase of LPG cylinders, raising the total monthly support to ₹1,500 for Orunodoi beneficiaries.”
Countering opposition allegations
Responding to opposition criticism that the MMUA was a “fake” promise made for electoral gain, Sarma said, “Before the election, they claimed women would never receive the money. They said it was impossible to raise ₹4,000 crore for such a large scheme. But we have kept our word.”
He added that his government’s track record such as appointing over one lakh youth to government jobs proved its commitment to fulfilling promises made to the people.
Women beneficiaries leading the way
The Chief Minister highlighted inspiring stories from the constituency. Monalisa Devi, a member of the Nandini Women’s Self-Help Group from Itakhola village, began with a small cake business and later took a ₹2 lakh SHG loan to start a bakery and processed food unit. She now earns about ₹35,000 per month, becoming one of Assam’s successful “Lakhpati Baideus.”
Similarly, Rashmi Rabha of Pragati SHG in Hatbor, Jamugurihat, used microloans to begin fish farming, vegetable cultivation, and paddy production, earning around ₹33,000 per month. These stories, Sarma said, show how women are using MMUA support and SHG networks to turn small ideas into sustainable livelihoods.
Aiming for sustainable women entrepreneurship
The Chief Minister urged the beneficiaries to use their grants wisely, emphasising that women’s participation in economic activity is key to social progress.
“Assam can move forward only when its women live with dignity and independence,” he said, reiterating his goals to end child marriage, promote girls’ education, and build an economy driven by women’s enterprise.
Development experts view MMUA as a potential catalyst for creating a sustainable culture of women-led entrepreneurship in rural Assam. The combination of financial assistance, training, and SHG support could help women build small enterprises, generate employment, and strengthen local economies.
University site visit
After the event, CM Sarma visited the proposed site of the Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University at Gohpur, where Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to lay the foundation stone on November 8. He reviewed preparations and instructed officials to ensure the event’s success.