Assam: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma distributed checks among thousands of women in Gohpur on Thursday. The Chief Minister distributed checks of Rs 10,000 to 36,834 women under the Women Entrepreneurship Mission at a function held at Shaheed Kankalta Barua State University premises in Bholaguri, Gohpur, Bishwanath district. Of these, 35,530 are in rural areas and 1,304 are in urban areas.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said that the state government has taken various steps to advance women in the last four years. He said many of the schemes undertaken by the present government have recently been followed by other states in the country and the schemes undertaken by Assam have been welcomed across the country today.
“We have taken steps to ensure that women can take a leadership in managing society and families. As a result of our efforts to empower women, child marriage has been prevented around Assam today and schemes like Million Moina have increased student attendance in colleges. He said the number of students enrolled in colleges in the state has increased by 50,000 this year compared to the previous year due to the Million Moina scheme. He also said that crimes against women have decreased in the state.
Sharma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken steps to establish women involved in self-help groups as millionaires. The Chief Minister cited the example of Pankaja Hazarika, a member of Asta Self Help Group in Krishnapur, Gohpur. She said lakhs of women have already become millionaires in Assam through entrepreneurship. She said the entrepreneurial woman joined the self-help group in 2004 and has been involved in productive activities by weaving traditional clothes in weaving mills. Pankaja Hazarika earns about Rs 4.80 lakh per annum at Rs 40,000 per month. He cited the example of Ranika Basumatari, a member of the Maoria Self-Help Group in Milanpur village of the constituency, who earns about Rs 27,500 per month and Rs 330,000 annually from dragon fruit cultivation.
Sharma added that if the funds are proved to be used properly, Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 will be paid in the next phase respectively. In his speech, the Chief Minister also mentioned another major scheme of the state government, Arunodoi.
