Jonai: Carrying forward the momentum of women’s empowerment in Assam, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma thurseday distributed cheques of ₹10,000 each to 36,886 women beneficiaries from the Jonai Legislative Assembly Constituency under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA). The event was held at Jonai in Dhemaji district.
At the same programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated a workshop and tech lab at Dhemaji Polytechnic, upgraded under the state government’s initiative to transform polytechnic and ITI institutes into centres of excellence. He also laid the foundation stone for a 30-bed Community Health Centre (CHC) at Simen Chapori under the National Health Mission’s 15th Finance Commission Health Grant Scheme.
Under the MMUA scheme, each eligible self-help group (SHG) member receives ₹10,000 as seed capital to promote rural entrepreneurship in sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, handloom, and handicrafts. In Jonai alone, ₹36.88 crore has been allocated for the beneficiaries.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sarma said the day was special for him as he fulfilled promises made to the people of Jonai before the elections. He highlighted that his government has already met its target of providing jobs to one lakh youths and continues to deliver on its commitments — from the Orunodoi scheme to free rice, free healthcare, better roads, and a new medical college in Dhemaji.
The event was attended by Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Power Minister Prasanta Phukan, MP Pradan Baruah, MLA Bhuban Pegu, and several CEMs of autonomous councils, among other dignitaries.