Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday formally launched a financial assistance scheme aimed at supporting Udasin Bhakats, the celibate Vaishnavite monks associated with Satras across the state. Under the scheme, each eligible monk will receive ₹1,500 per month as financial support. The initiative, which was announced in the state budget last year, has now been implemented with the objective of providing dignity and economic security to monks who dedicate their lives to spiritual service and the preservation of Assam’s Vaishnavite traditions.
Direct Benefit Transfer and Coverage
Addressing the launch programme, the Chief Minister stated that the monthly assistance would be directly credited to the bank accounts of eligible Udasin Bhakats to ensure transparency and efficiency. He assured that the government would review the list of beneficiaries and take steps to include any eligible monks who may have been inadvertently left out. According to official data, a total of 620 Udasin Bhakats will benefit from the scheme in its initial phase. This reflects the government’s effort to extend structured financial support to a traditionally austere and service-oriented community.
Majuli Leads in Number of Beneficiaries
Among all districts, Majuli accounts for the highest number of beneficiaries, with 474 monks receiving assistance. Majuli is followed by Jorhat (54) and Lakhimpur (22). Other districts include Kamrup (14), Barpeta (10), Dhubri (8), Goalpara (8), Nagaon (7), Golaghat (6), Nalbari (6), Sivasagar (5), Sonitpur (3), Udalguri (3) and additional beneficiaries from Goalpara district. The wide geographical spread highlights the presence of Satras across Assam and the continued relevance of the Neo-Vaishnavite tradition in the state’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
Preserving Assam’s Spiritual and Cultural Heritage
The Chief Minister emphasised that Satras are the backbone of Assam’s spiritual, cultural, and social life, and Udasin Bhakats play a crucial role in preserving this heritage through celibacy, discipline, and service. He described the financial assistance as part of the government’s responsibility to safeguard Assam’s identity and values. In a social media post, Sarma referred to Satras as custodians of Assam’s ethos and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting and upgrading these institutions. He added that supporting Udasin Bhakats through monthly assistance was a meaningful way to honour their lifelong devotion to the Bhakti movement, particularly in Majuli, the world’s largest river island and the heart of Assam’s Vaishnavite monastic tradition.
