Guwahati: BJP-led Assam government named the longest flyover of the Northeast region after the great ruler of Kamrupa, Maharaj Prithu. Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, inaugurated the Maharaja Prithu Flyover, constructed from Noonmati to Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, which stands as the longest flyover in the entire North-Eastern region. It was further highlighted that during the tenure of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a total of 12 flyovers have been constructed in Guwahati alone, significantly transforming the urban infrastructure of the state capital.
CM Sarma also ceremonially disbursed a lump sum financial assistance of Rs 9,000 each to 40 lakh beneficiary families under the Orunodoi Scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer during a solemn programme organised at the Jyoti-Bishnu International Auditorium, Khanapara.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that when the Orunodoi scheme was conceptualised and launched during 2019–20, the state and the nation were passing through the grave crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recalling that challenging period, CM Sarma said that as the then Health Minister, he personally visited hospitals wearing PPE kits to understand the sufferings of patients, visited cremation grounds to remove obstacles in the last rites of those who had succumbed to COVID, and as Finance Minister, he remained deeply aware of the severe economic hardships faced by traders and common people.
He observed that during that period, there was an acute conflict between life and livelihood, with many people pleading against imposing a lockdown due to livelihood concerns. In such a profoundly difficult and unprecedented time, the Orunodoi Scheme was initiated with the primary objective of alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable sections of society.
The Chief Minister remarked that women were the worst sufferers during the pandemic, as they had to use even their small personal savings to sustain their families. It was with the noble intention of transforming the lives of the women of Assam that the Orunodoi scheme was launched. He further stated that initially, Rs 830 per month was transferred directly to the bank accounts of 18 lakh women beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that the visionary Jan Dhan Yojana introduced by the Prime Minister had ensured that women across the state had bank accounts, which significantly contributed to the successful implementation of the Orunodoi scheme. CM Sarma further informed that certain discrepancies were identified in the beneficiary list during the initial phase.
To rectify these irregularities, a comprehensive survey was conducted through NSS volunteers, following which the list was revised. In the second phase of the scheme, the number of beneficiaries was increased to 24 lakh women, and the financial assistance was enhanced to Rs 1,000 per month. Subsequently, with the expansion of the programme under Orunodoi 3.0, the number of beneficiaries was further increased, bringing 90 per cent of eligible women in the state under its ambit, and the financial assistance was raised to Rs 1,250 per month. At present, nearly 40 lakh women beneficiaries are receiving assistance under the scheme. The Chief Minister further assured that the remaining 10 per cent of eligible women would also be brought under the coverage of the scheme in the near future.
Mentioning the special assistance provided for the celebration of Bohag Bihu, CM Sarma stated that the beneficiaries of the Orunodoi scheme have been provided Rs 9,000 each as a festive grant. He informed that so far an amount of Rs 17,000 crore has been disbursed under the scheme, and on this very day alone, the women of Assam have collectively received Rs 3,600 crore.
Chief Minister Sarma also virtually inaugurated District Science Centres at Kamrup, Bongaigaon, Majuli, Cachar, and Nagaon from Science City, Sonapur in Guwahati. These centres have been established by the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Assam. Each district science centre will include facilities such as a planetarium, office complex, auditorium, staff quarters, along with five thematic exhibition galleries, a fun-science exhibition hall, and an innovation centre aimed at promoting scientific awareness and curiosity among the youth.
In the press statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Assam Pradesh, stated that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP government has implemented numerous welfare-oriented schemes for the benefit of the people, while simultaneously undertaking massive development in road infrastructure and public works. Through these sustained efforts, Assam is steadily progressing towards securing a position among the top five developed states of India.
