Guwahati, 15th January: Debabrata Saikia, a prominent leader of the Assam Congress, accused the state government of deliberately scheduling the distribution of forms for a new scheme, ‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan,’ to clash with Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in the state. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Saikia highlighted the conflict in dates, specifically concerning districts like Sivasagar, coinciding with the yatra’s Assam leg starting on January 18. The scheme aims to empower 40 lakh self-help group members as rural micro-entrepreneurs. Saikia questioned the government’s motives, suggesting a deliberate attempt to coincide with the yatra itinerary.
The Congress leader emphasized that when the scheme was initially announced, no dates for form distribution were provided. Saikia criticized the government for fixing dates that align with Rahul Gandhi’s Assam itinerary, raising concerns about the intention behind this scheduling. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is set to cover 833 km across 17 districts of Assam, starting from Sivasagar on January 18 and concluding in Dhubri on January 25.
Saikia further questioned the government’s decision to allocate only one day for form collection, deeming it “very much unjustified.” In his letter to the Chief Minister, he argued that women might face challenges in collecting forms due to various reasons such as health issues, public court hearings, family functions, or participation in political meetings. He urged an extension of the registration period by at least 10 to 15 days to ensure broader participation of women in the scheme. The Congress leader’s allegations highlight the intersection of political events and government initiatives, fueling discussions about fair practices and transparent governance.
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