GUWAHATI, March 10: The Assam government distributed a total of Rs 380 crore on Monday to beneficiaries of the pension and Orunodoi schemes, which are key initiatives aimed at providing cash benefits to eligible women across the state.
The Orunodoi scheme, a flagship program of the state administration, ensures financial assistance to women on the 10th of every month. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on his X handle, “Credited: Pension and Orunodoi for the month of March. Over 43 lakh people will get this message as we transfer over Rs 380 crore to the people of Assam in a short while from now.”
To prevent fraudulent claims, the government has linked the Orunodoi scheme with ration cards. Recently, the state administration distributed at least 20 lakh new ration cards to beneficiaries. CM Sarma emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the needy have consistent access to rice, noting that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was implemented in Assam in December 2015 to safeguard the nutritional needs of about 2.51 crore beneficiaries.
He further highlighted that 85% of rural residents and 60% of urban inhabitants should be entitled to ration cards. Following the linking of ration cards with Aadhaar, an additional 60 lakh cards have been issued, enabling the distribution of free rice through biometric verification.
CM Sarma also commended the successful implementation of the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme, which has been operational for the past three years, allowing beneficiaries to access provisions anywhere in the country. He reassured the public that no fraudulent claims would be accepted, as the government has made substantial efforts to ensure that deserving families receive their entitlements.
The Chief Minister also revealed that in the 2023-24 fiscal year, 42,85,745 new beneficiaries were added, with 10,73,489 new families receiving ration cards in January alone, benefiting more than 52 lakh people. Additionally, families holding ration cards are eligible for free medical treatment up to Rs five lakh at government hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam schemes.
