Guwahati, Mar 10: The Assam government on Monday disbursed Rs 380 crore to beneficiaries under the Orunodoi and pension schemes, aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible women in the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the fund transfer on social media, stating, “Credited: Pension and Orunodoi for the month of March. Over 43 lakh people will get this message as we transfer over Rs 380 crore to the people of Assam in a short while from now.”
The Orunodoi scheme provides monthly financial aid to women on the 10th of every month. To prevent fraudulent claims, the state government has linked the scheme with ration cards, distributing at least 20 lakh new cards to beneficiaries.
CM Sarma highlighted the government’s commitment to food security, stating that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was implemented in Assam in December 2015, covering around 2.51 crore beneficiaries. He emphasized that 85% of rural and 60% of urban residents should have access to ration cards.
Following the Aadhaar linking of ration cards, an additional 60 lakh cards have been issued, facilitating the distribution of free rice through biometric verification. He also noted the successful implementation of the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme, which allows beneficiaries to access rations anywhere in the country.
The Chief Minister stated that ration cards must be collected between the 1st and 10th of each month and assured that fraudulent claims would not be entertained. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, over 42.85 lakh new beneficiaries have been added, with more than 10.73 lakh new families receiving ration cards in January alone, benefitting over 52 lakh people.
Additionally, families holding ration cards will be eligible for free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at government hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam schemes.
