Assam: State Government Staff Asked to Opt out of Orunodoi Scheme by December 24

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The state government has directed any government employee or their dependent family members who are recipients of Orunodoi benefits to compulsorily opt out of the Orunodoi scheme before December 24, 2024, failing which stern disciplinary action will be initiated against them.

This was stated in a recent notification of the state Finance (Institutional Finance) Department. It was also stated that the notification in question is in pursuance of the Orunodoi Scheme notification dated September 19, 2024, which refers to the exclusion criteria as mentioned in 2.4 point no. IV & V. Regarding the exclusion criteria for the Orunodoi Scheme, Point no. IV states that “University, College, Higher Secondary, Junior College, High School, Upper Primary and Lower Primary school teachers, including contractual/temporary” are not eligible.

Moreover, point no. V of the criteria names “Any government regular employee, pensioner, or contractual employee (including Anganwadi worker, mid-day meal worker, ASHA worker, ASHA supervisor, Gaon Pradhan)” in the exclusion category.

It is further stated that it has come to the notice of the government that some beneficiaries or their dependent family members falling under the abovementioned category are still taking benefits under this scheme, in gross violation of the scheme guidelines.

In view of this discrepancy regarding beneficiaries of the Orunodoi Scheme, it was sought to clarify that any such government employee or their dependent family members who have been receiving Orunodoi benefits should compulsorily opt out of the scheme before December 24, 2024. It is also mentioned that failure to comply with the direction would invite ‘stern disciplinary action’ against them.

The direction from the government comes at a time when Orunodoi ‘Poshek,’ or fortnight for selection of beneficiaries for Orunodoi 3.0, is in progress from December 15 to 28, 2024. Draft publication of beneficiaries names for Orunodoi 3.0 will follow the selection.

The state government is trying to weed out any beneficiaries not entitled to avail themselves of the benefits under the Orunodoi Scheme in the latest edition of the scheme, Orunodoi 3.0.

It should be noted that women are the intended beneficiaries of the Orunodoi scheme. Beneficiaries receive an amount of Rs 1250 per month for medicine, nutrition, etc.

Launching the third edition of the scheme in the middle of September this year, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced, “In Orunodoi 3.0, we will be prioritising destitute women, divyangs, widows, transgenders, and other vulnerable people to provide them with financial security. Families with income below Rs. 2 lakh are eligible to apply, and the state government will be spending Rs. 467 crore per month on this scheme. Together with NFSA, Orunodoi 3.0 will form a comprehensive social security net that will cover their nutritional, financial, medical, and ancillary needs.”

 Also Read: Assam: Ranjeet Kumar Dass inaugurates Orunodoi 3.0 scheme in Pathsala

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