Assam to empower 30 lakh women to generate Rs. 30,000 Cr in next decade

Guwahati, Dec 16: The Assam government has unveiled an ambitious initiative under the Mukhyamantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhijan, aiming to provide financial support to 30 lakh women across the state through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The programme seeks to empower women financially, enabling them to earn Rs. 1 lakh annually, which would cumulatively contribute Rs. 3,000 crore per year and Rs. 30,000 crore over the next decade to the state’s economy.

Addressing a press conference at the ASRLM office on Monday, panchayat and rural Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass said the state government has already identified 30 lakh women across the state who will benefit from this scheme. The verification process is currently underway to ensure the effective and transparent implementation of the initiative.

“Each woman is expected to earn Rs. 1 lakh annually, leveraging the financial and skill development support provided under the scheme. They will earn Rs. 3,000 crore collectively in a year and Rs. 30,000 crore over ten years, significantly boosting Assam’s economy and advancing women’s economic independence,” Dass said.

Das claimed the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is taking a key step towards fostering women’s entrepreneurship and enhancing the livelihood opportunities of women in rural areas. By targeting SHGs, the initiative aligns with the government’s goal of promoting grassroots development and reducing economic disparities.

“We are trying to make women of Assam amtmanirbhar to fulfil the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched Mukhyamantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhijan to fulfil the dream of the prime minister. We believe that without the development of women, the state can’t make progress. If we want to make the state one of the top five states of the country, we must empower women,” Dass said.

He said the state has 3.58 lakh women SHGs which 39.29 lakh members. The state government has provided Rs 558 crore to the SHGs under the Mukhyamantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhijan. It has also provided Rs 445 crore to these SHGs under Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Yojana.

The minister said 32,21,290 women beneficiaries have been identified in the state under Mukhyamantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhijan and the verification process is on. “We are providing Rs 10,000 to each woman under this scheme,” he informed.

Das also said the state government has been proactively supporting women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by organizing the Asomi SARAS Mela, an initiative aimed at promoting their products in the market. The mela, held under the aegis of the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM), provides artisans and rural entrepreneurs a valuable platform to showcase and sell their unique crafts and products.

This year, the event featured 238 stalls, including 138 from Assam, with participation from 27 states across the country. The total sales from Assam’s stalls across all categories—handloom, handicrafts, and others—amounted to Rs. 11.07 crore.

The sales figures reflect a considerable growth compared to last year’s ASOMI SARAS Mela, which recorded total sales of Rs. 8.74 crore.

Among the participating stalls, Purnima Mahila SHG from Lakhimpur district emerged as the highest seller, achieving a total sale of Rs. 1.04 crore. The second position was secured by Abhilash SHG from Sivasagar district with sales of Rs. 95 lakh, while Bishbhani JK SHG, also from Lakhimpur district, took third place with sales amounting to Rs. 84.57 lakh.

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