CM Dr. Sarma distributes seed capital cheques to 13,193 women beneficiaries of Silchar Constituency

Way2barak, October 24 : Taking forward the transformative journey of women empowerment in Assam, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today distributed seed capital cheques under Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan for 13,193 women beneficiaries of Silchar Legislative Assembly Constituency at a programme held at Silchar today. Among the beneficiaries, 9,254 are from rural areas and 3,939 from urban areas.

Addressing the beneficiaries at a public meeting held at the Police Parade Ground in Silchar, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that around 40 lakh women in the state are associated with four lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan was launched with the vision of helping these women, who have been actively contributing to various social and economic activities through SHGs, and helping them to become lakhpati, Dr. Sarma observed.

The Chief Minister highlighted how women, through SHGs, are making remarkable contributions not only to their families but also to the state’s economy. Citing examples from the Silchar constituency, he stated the success story of Tapasi Dev, a member of the Lakshmi Self-Help Group under Silchar Development Block, who has set up a dairy-based food processing unit. Tapasi produces and sells paneer, curd, ghee, and sweets in Meherpur and Silchar town, earning around Rs. 15,000 per month. Her venture has ensured financial stability for her family, supported her children’s education, and improved their quality of life.

Similarly, another member of the Lakshmi SHG, Krishna Das, earns around Rs. 12,000 per month by selling milk, eggs, and poultry meat produced through her small-scale enterprise. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma also stated that the success of these women clearly demonstrates how, with the productive use of SHG support and training, rural women can become self-reliant and achieve a dignified position in both society and the economy.

The Chief Minister explained that if each woman deposits Rs. 10,000 received as seed capital into her SHG, the group can collectively form a capital base of Rs. 1 lakh, which they can use to start a joint venture. Alternatively, they can use the fund individually to start new businesses or expand existing family enterprises. Women who use this initial seed capital effectively will, in subsequent phases, receive Rs. 25,000 and later Rs. 50,000, he added. Dr. Sarma mentioned that 99 per cent of loans taken by SHGs in Assam have been repaid, which has significantly increased the banks’ confidence in SHGs.

The Chief Minister said that over the past four and a half years, every commitment made by his government to the people is being fulfilled. He said that several welfare schemes launched for the underprivileged, including the Orunodoi Scheme for financial aid to poor families, the Nijut Moina Scheme to support the education of girl children, and the Ayushman Bharat Scheme for healthcare services.

He further announced that, from November this year, families possessing ration cards will get sugar, pulses, and salt at subsidized prices. Highlighting the government’s focus on transforming the lives of women, Dr. Sarma said that the State government has taken strong measures against child marriage and is moving forward with legislation to regulate polygamy in Assam. The related bill will be introduced in the upcoming session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister added.

Dr. Sarma moreover said that due to the strict steps taken by the government in the last four and a half years, crimes against women in the state have significantly declined, from 1.5 lakh cases earlier to about 40,000 cases at present. “We are striving to build a society where women feel safe, move forward confidently, and have the opportunity to establish themselves,” the Chief Minister asserted.

Speaking further on developmental initiatives, the Chief Minister said that to ease traffic congestion in Silchar town, a flyover will soon be constructed. Work on this project, costing around Rs. 650 crore, will commence in December this year, and once completed, it will substantially help in decongesting the town. He also announced the construction of a bridge at Madura Ghat at an estimated cost of Rs.100 crore, and emphasized that the State government has taken up several major projects for the development of the Barak Valley region. He further stated that to assist Barak Valley residents traveling to other cities for medical treatment, the government will construct Barak Bhawans in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.

The Chief Minister said that the new road from the Barak Valley to Guwahati, will be built at a cost of Rs. 35,000 crore, which will bring about a major transformation in the region’s connectivity. The proposed Doloo Airport project is also likely to receive final approval within the current year, he announced.

Minister Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Kaushik Roy, Minister Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Krishnendu Paul, Members of Parliament Parimal Suklabaidya and Kanad Purkayastha; MLAs Dipayan Chakraborty, Mihir Kanti Shome, Nihar Ranjan Das, and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Additional Chief Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development B. Kalyan Chakravarthy; District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.