Guwahati, 26th January: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a groundbreaking announcement today, revealing that over 25 lakh women in the state have eagerly applied for the largest entrepreneurship scheme, the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurs Scheme). Taking to the social media platform X, CM Sarma shared that the initiative aims to empower 39 lakh micro-entrepreneurs, ensuring an annual income of Rs 1 lakh for each through a phased financial support of Rs 35,000.
The scheme, unveiled on January 14, specifically targets women in self-help groups, with Sarma emphasizing a three-phase approach to transform rural women into entrepreneurs, aspiring to create ‘Lakhpatis’ out of them. In the initial phase, women are encouraged to create individual or group business plans. Once submitted, the government will provide Rs 10,000 directly into their bank accounts, aggregating to a substantial Rs 3,900 crore for 39 lakh women.
To ensure responsible utilization of funds, the government plans to assess the women’s ability to carry out the proposed business activities. Additionally, beneficiaries from the general and OBC categories are required to have no more than three children. Further conditions include undertaking to admit daughters to school and refraining from having additional children.
In the second year, beneficiaries are eligible for a bank loan of Rs 12,500, supplemented by an additional Rs 12,500 from the government, resulting in a total of Rs 25,000. Notably, the government’s contribution does not need repayment. The third-year installment brings the total financial support to Rs 35,000 over the three-year period.
CM Sarma stressed that during the second installment, the government will scrutinize the proper utilization of the funds allocated in the first installment. Moreover, the success of tree planting efforts under the Amrit Vriksh movement by beneficiaries is set as a condition for continued financial support, adding an environmental and sustainable dimension to the transformative scheme.
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