Family members of serving or retired govt employee if receiving Orunodoi must opt out by 20 August: Govt

Aug. 15: A major exercise to update Orunodoi beneficiaries’ list will begin from 20 August, 2022 where college students will be involved to conduct house visits. At present, around 19.3 lakh beneficiaries are getting Rs.1000 per month. It is the largest ever Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. The scheme has been dedicated for women empowerment. The scheme helps marginalised households of Assam for purchasing essential commodities like nutritional items & medicines.

While the scheme was launched in 2020, it was categorically stated that “Any family member of  regular serving or retired officers and employees of Central/ State Government Ministries / Offices / Departments and its field units Central or State PSEs and attached /Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular employees of the Local Bodies and PSUs will not be eligible for enrolling as a beneficiary of Orunodoi scheme.”

However, it has come to the notice of the Government that some beneficiaries or their dependent family members falling under the above mentioned category are still taking benefits under this scheme, which is a gross violation of the norms. In view of the above, Assam Government in a notification issued on 10 August, 2022 clarified that any such Government employee or their dependent family members, who is a recipient of Orunodoi benefits should compulsorily opt-out from Orunodoi scheme before 20 August, 2022, failing which stern disciplinary action will be initiated against them.

There are two processes for voluntary opt-out by beneficiaries viz. Online Application Mode and Physical Application Mode (offline)

1. Online Application Mode:

Case I: Mobile OTP based authentication:

a) Beneficiary shall visit the Orunodoi portal viz. https://orunodoi.in and navigate to “VOLUNTARY OPT-OUT BY BENEFICIARY” tab.
b) Beneficiary need to enter the Orunodoi scheme registered mobile number, which will reflect all the beneficiaries, if multiple beneficiaries are registered against a single mobile number.
c) Then bank account number of the beneficiary shall be entered, where Orunodoi benefit is received. This will display the beneficiary details with an option to send OTP to the mobile number.

d) Once the beneficiary enters the OTP in the portal, she will be opted- out from the scheme.

Case II: If mobile number is not there

a) If beneficiary is unable to provide mobile number for authentication or OTP authentication is failed, beneficiary will be asked to fill up an online application form.
b) The form will have provision to collect name, address, bank account, mobile number etc.
c) After submitting the filled up form, it will be sent to the District Nodal Officer log-in.
d) District nodal officer will inquire and verify the authenticity of the request in the field. Within 7 days of the receipt of the request, he/ she has to approve or decline the request in the portal.

2. Physical Application Mode (offline)

a) Beneficiary may submit an application form with all relevant information in the Block development office, Circle office or DC office directly. Such application forms received in Block office or Circle office shall be forwarded by BDO, Circle officer to respective DC office within 2 days from the receipt of the application.
b) Nodal Officer of the District shall verify and follow the opt-out process through online mode only as mentioned in the Online application mode process above.

An appreciation letter signed by competent authority will be generated once the beneficiary is opted out from the scheme. This letter of appreciation will be in downloadable format from DC login ID. Respective district shall distribute the hard copy of the appreciation letters to the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the Orunodoi Month will last from 20 August to 20 September. During this phase, the students will visit the homes of Orunodoi beneficiaries and update information through a mobile app. If there is any improvement in the economic status of the Orunodoi beneficiaries, then their names will be excluded from the scheme during this phase.