Guwahati, Sept 19: The Assam government has launched the latest phase of its flagship Orunodoi scheme on Thursday, expanding its reach to 37.2 lakh beneficiaries. This increase of over 12.5 lakh recipients compared to the previous 24.6 lakh under Orunodoi 2.0 makes it the largest Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) program in the state’s history.
During the launch, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the scheme’s focus on economic empowerment and inclusive growth, stating, “Orunodoi 3.0 is more than just a welfare initiative; it aims to transform lives.”
Orunodoi 3.0 now covers a broader range of beneficiaries, including transgender individuals, widows, unmarried people over 45, divorced and deserted women, individuals with disabilities, and households earning less than ₹2 lakh annually. The state will allocate ₹467 crore each month to the program.
District authorities are tasked with ensuring that eligible recipients from earlier versions are not excluded unless they no longer meet the updated criteria. To qualify, applicants must be permanent Assam residents with an Aadhaar-seeded ration card and an annual income below ₹2 lakh with no government job.
Under Orunodoi 3.0, beneficiaries will receive ₹1,250 per month, an increase from the previous ₹830, with payments credited to their bank accounts on the 10th of each month. The state has allocated ₹5,604 crores for the initiative, aiming to complete the rollout by January 2024.
Initially launched in October 2020, Orunodoi has inspired similar programs in other states, and the expanded version further reflects Assam’s commitment to supporting marginalized communities.
