Initiative to ensure ‘financial and moral support’ to 12 lakh families launched by CM
Staff Reporter
Guwahati: With the stated objective of expediting Assam’s all-round development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today launched 12 days of development initiatives with an aim to reach out to 12 lakh families across the state to distribute grants and assistance under various welfare schemes.
This was announced at a function held at Sarusajai Sports Complex here today, where the Chief Minister distributed cash awards under the Anundoram Borooah Merit Scholarship to 26,969 students scoring 75 percent or above in the HSLC examination. He also distributed 3,23,640 bicycles to Class IX students under the Chief Minister’s Special Scheme. Additionally, 48,673 scooters were awarded to girl students with first division in higher secondary and boys with 75 percent or above marks under the Dr. Banikanta Kakati Merit Award of the Pragyan Bharati Scheme.
During his speech on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said, “Starting today, Team Assam will embark on a 12-day journey to visit the people and distribute grants and assistance under various welfare schemes. This 12-day period will ensure financial and moral support to 12 lakh families across the state”.
The Chief Minister also said that as part of this 12-day journey, the state government is rolling out some additional incentives. He said that under the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme, over 78,000 borrowers will be benefitted with a total relief package of over Rs. 223.30 crore to restore their credit worthiness and financial stability. Moreover, Rs. 353.37 crore will be distributed to over 6.86 lakh disaster-affected families for home reconstruction, livelihood aid, and essential supplies. For incentivizing industrial growth in the state, Rs. 21.90 crore will be distributed to 6,490 SHG members to support food processing units.
The CM congratulated the recipient students, asking them to inculcate the virtues of diligence, discipline, dedication, and perseverance. He also asked them to contribute to the national movements like Skill India, Digital India, Start-up India, etc. Addressing the students as Amrit Peedhi, he asked them to strive to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Stating that students are the future of a developed India, the Chief Minister said that his government has lent dynamism to the education sector through improved infrastructure and new institutions. He said that apart from 23 medical colleges, some of which are functional and some on the verge of being finished, foundations of three medical colleges at Darrang, Hailakandi, and Hojai will be laid soon. He also said that in the next few years, every district of the state will have one university to ensure and facilitate higher education for every son and daughter of the state.
In order to empower them, the Chief Minister urged the girls not to discontinue their studies under any circumstances. He also said that since obtaining government jobs has become very fair and transparent now, he requested the educated girls to try for government jobs after completing higher education.
Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu was present at the launching ceremony, along with Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, and a host of other dignitaries.
Also read: Assam: Anundoram Borooah Award distributed
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