Assam govt's flagship beneficiary schemes to resume from August: CM Sarma

Guwahati, July 19 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced that the BJP-led state government's flagship welfare schemes will resume from August, signalling the rollout of key social assistance programmes ahead of the new financial cycle. 

In a post on X, Sarma said, "Some familiar names are back at your doorstep. Starting this August, Orunodoi, subsidised essentials and our student welfare schemes will once again reach the people of Assam." 

According to the schedule shared by the Chief Minister, the distribution of subsidised masoor dal and sugar will restart from August 1, while the monthly financial assistance under the Orunodoi scheme will resume from August 3. 

The government will also begin distribution of application forms for its student welfare initiatives -- Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu -- from August 6. Another flagship programme, Jiban Prerana Asoni, is scheduled to restart from September. 

The Chief Minister described the initiatives as Assam's "blockbuster welfare schemes", asserting that they would once again reach beneficiaries across the state. 

Orunodoi is the Assam government's flagship direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme aimed at providing financial support to economically weaker households, particularly women. The scheme has been one of the state's largest social welfare programmes since its launch and has undergone periodic expansion to cover more beneficiaries. 

The subsidised food initiative enables eligible families to purchase essential commodities such as masoor dal and sugar at reduced prices through the public distribution system. The Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes are focused on supporting students by providing financial assistance aimed at encouraging higher education and reducing dropout rates. 

The announcement comes as the state government continues to emphasise welfare delivery alongside infrastructure development and economic growth. 

The resumption of these schemes is expected to benefit lakhs of families, students and economically disadvantaged sections across Assam. 

The Chief Minister's announcement also reiterates the government's commitment to continuing its welfare-oriented programmes, which have remained a key component of the BJP government's governance agenda in the state.