Assam CM Launches Orunodoi 2.0 with 10.5 Lakh new beneficiaries

Staff Reporter, Guwahati, December 15: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday from New Delhi virtually launched Orunodoi 2.0, the much-awaited scheme of the Government of Assam aimed at providing financial security to financially disadvantaged families of the State. Addressing mediapersons at the ceremonial launch held at the premises of Assam House in the national capital, the Chief Minister termed Orunodoi 2.0 the largest social-sector scheme in the history of the State that has the capability of radically transforming lives of millions of its residents. Till date, around 17 lakh women have been receiving an amount of ₹1250 each on the 10th of every month through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method under the first phase of this social sector scheme, the Chief Minister said. With the addition of another 10.5 lakh new beneficiaries from today onwards, it would add up to a total of 27 lakh-plus beneficiaries, he added. The guaranteed minimum cash flow of ₹1250 for the underprivileged families of the State would be extremely helpful in the government's aim of poverty alleviation, the Chief Minister stated. The Chief Minister said from April 2023 onwards, all the existing beneficiaries of Deen Dayal Divyangan Pension Yojana and Indira Miri Widow Pension Scheme would be subsumed under Orunodoi 2.0. Divyangans and transgenders would also be included under Orunodoi 2.0, the Chief Minister added. Also, households having members who are a dwarf or suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy/thalassemia/hemophilia/leprosy/autism would also be included under Orunodoi 2.0, Dr. Sarma remarked. The financial outlay in implementing Orunodoi 2.0 would amount to ₹4,142 crore per annum, the Chief Minister said. The Chief Minister stated that around 2.75 lakh beneficiaries under Orunodoi had been removed from the eligible-beneficiary list on the basis of a survey carried out under Orunodoi Month as some had passed away while others were found to be ineligible for the scheme, among other reasons. Chief Executive of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Samir Kumar Sinha and a host of senior officials were also present.