Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurship Campaign (MMUA) in Tinsukia on Wednesday. The program aims to empower women economically and make them self-reliant. A large number of local people and women from self-help groups (SHGs) attended the distribution ceremony. The Chief Minister distributed checks to 14,000 beneficiaries under the scheme. He stated that the campaign is not limited to financial assistance, but aims to empower women in the long term.
The First Step to Self-Reliance for Women
During the program, Chief Minister Sarma said, “Everyone knows that the government is giving ₹10,000, but if we don’t understand the purpose of this scheme, its true benefits will not be realized.” He explained that the government will not only provide financial assistance but will also provide institutional and developmental support to help women further expand their businesses. He added that all assembly constituencies in Tinsukia will be covered by the scheme by November-December.
The Self-Help Group Revolution Has Changed the Picture
The Chief Minister said that nearly 4 million women in Assam are now associated with approximately 400,000 self-help groups. Previously, women were limited to household chores, but now they are taking on financial responsibility for their families and playing a vital role in the local economy. He described this movement as “the foundation of Assam’s social and economic progress.”
A sharp attack on the opposition and a salute to the women’s power
Chief Minister Sarma took a dig at the Congress party, saying, “The Congress had said that ‘Mama’ would not give 10,000 rupees, but I fulfilled my promise and personally came and handed over this amount to the women.” He said that whenever the government introduces a scheme for women, the opposition criticizes it. “If someone helps his mother, should he be criticized?” Sarma asked, describing the opposition’s attitude as a sign of disconnect from the public.
Following the ceremony, Chief Minister Sarma also paid tribute to the legacy of the Matak dynasty by visiting the home of Shri Hemant Gohain, a descendant of Matak King Sarbananda Singha. He also viewed the dynasty’s historical relics—the royal shield, sword, and seal—on the occasion, paying homage to Assam’s glorious history.
