Edited Sangeeta Das
In a strategic move towards encouraging entrepreneurship
and economic independence, the Assam Government led by Chief Minister Dr
Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the “Lakhpati Baideo” scheme. This initiative
is deliberated to empower 40 lakh self-help group or SHG workers, facilitating
their transformation into rural micro-entrepreneurs.
Declaring the ambitious scheme, CM Himanta
outlined its salient features. The Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan will
provide substantial financial help, offering ₹35,000 to each of the 40 lakh
women participants. The overarching goal is to empower these women to attain yearly
income of ₹1 lakh.
Expressing the scheme’s alignment with
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating two crore ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ CM
Himanta with pride introduced the program as a channel for the economic
empowerment of 40 lakh women.
Implemented at a calculated cost of
₹4,000 crore, the scheme will be implemented in stages. In the first year, each
SHG worker will receive ₹10,000, followed by ₹12,500 from the government in the
subsequent two years. Additionally, a matching ₹12,500 bank loan will be
extended, summing up to a total of ₹25,000 over the two-year period.
Beneficiaries are needed to submit a comprehensive business plan to access the
grant.
CM Himanta emphasized the scheme’s
integration with Assam’s population control measures, stating, “All our welfare
schemes will be linked to population control measures for the benefit of our
mothers and sisters.”
Three Preconditions For Women
- Those from the general and OBC
categories are required to have no more than three children, while those from
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes should have no more than four children. - Additionally, SHG members must enrol
their girl child in school, and if underage, commit to doing so.
- The third condition emphasizes the
survival of trees planted under the Amrit Brikshya Andolan by beneficiaries.
