TINSUKIA, December 23: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday inaugurated the distribution of the first instalment of the entrepreneurship fund under the Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurship Mission to more than 43,000 women in the Chabua–Lahowal and Makum Assembly constituencies, underlining the state government’s thrust on strengthening the rural economy through women-led enterprises.
In Chabua–Lahowal Assembly constituency of Dibrugarh district, 21,198 women received cheques of ₹10,000 each, while 22,069 women beneficiaries in the Makum Assembly constituency of Tinsukia district were covered under the scheme. Of the total beneficiaries, a large majority belong to rural areas—20,575 in Chabua–Lahowal and 20,900 in Makum.
Addressing separate public meetings at the Dainjoy Tea Estate playground in Chabua and the Janmukh playground in Tinsukia, the Chief Minister said that the Women Entrepreneurship Mission is an ambitious initiative aimed at making women economically self-reliant. He informed that around 15 lakh women from 55 Assembly constituencies across Assam have already received the first instalment, and the remaining beneficiaries will be covered soon.
Describing the ₹10,000 assistance as only the beginning, Dr Sarma said the scheme would continue until every beneficiary becomes a Lakhpati Baideo. He noted that over eight lakh women in Assam have already achieved this status by engaging in productive activities with support from self-help groups and bank credit, while some have even emerged as Maha Lakhpati Baideos by earning over ₹10 lakh annually.
The Chief Minister highlighted several success stories from both constituencies, citing women who have built sustainable livelihoods through beauty parlours, bakeries, nurseries, vermicompost units, vegetable cultivation and dairy enterprises. He said these examples demonstrate the potential of women-led entrepreneurship to transform rural economies.
Expressing concern over Assam’s dependence on other states for essential commodities, Dr Sarma said nearly 90 per cent of daily necessities consumed in the state are imported. He pointed out that while Assam requires about 25 lakh litres of milk daily, local production stands at only three lakh litres. “If we want society to stand on its own feet, there is no alternative to strengthening the rural economy,” he said, adding that women self-help groups have emerged as a powerful organised force capable of driving this change.
The Chief Minister explained that if beneficiaries pool the first instalment within their SHGs, they can create a collective corpus to start or expand enterprises. He added that based on proper utilisation of the funds, beneficiaries would be eligible for further assistance of ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 in subsequent phases, along with access to bank loans.
Dr Sarma also spoke about various welfare initiatives for women, including Orunodoi, Nijut Moina and measures to curb child marriage. He said over 33,000 beneficiaries in Chabua–Lahowal and more than 29,500 in Makum are currently receiving Orunodoi benefits, with more women to be included shortly. He also announced that Orunodoi beneficiaries would receive a special benefit on January 1.
The meetings were attended by several ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior officials of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, district administrations, and a large number of women beneficiaries.
