Sonowal launches scheme for women empowerment

GUWAHATI, April 1: In a move to give woman empowerment a boost, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal launched Kaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni amidst thousands of women Self Help Group (SHG) members at a function held at Sarusajai Stadium here on Sunday.

Kaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni is a flagship scheme conceived of by the Government of Assam to pave the way for generating avenues for sustaible livelihood for the women folk of Assam.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “Power of women is supreme and we should all have faith in women power. The power of women can lead a tion to prosperity. A woman is a source of energy and direction to people of all generations”. Sonowal also said that Kaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni is a scheme to revamp the rural economy of the State. He also said that if Assam has to progress, the villages of the state will have to be empowered. Realizing this, the present State government has been taking various steps for strengthening rural economy.

Sonowal also maintained that Government of Assam has launched Kaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni with the sole aim of empowering the women. He also said that the present State Government is committed to bring about fundamental changes in governce and therefore, taking several welfare steps for the development of all sections of the people, especially the women. He also said that setting up of women cell in police stations, starting of a 24X7 helpline for women, setting up of fast-track court in all districts of the State are some of the initiatives that the State government has taken of late for safeguarding the rights and privileges of women in the State. He, however, said that without economic development women cannot make much headway and therefore, launched Kaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni among others for capacity building of the women.

Speaking on the occasion, Health and Family Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Kaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni is one of the most progressive and welfare-driven schemes of the state in recent time. For the success of the scheme State government will spend Rs. 2500 crore in phases. True to its commitment, the State government has been taking several schemes and he gave a brief overview of all the schemes that the present government has taken so far.

Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development ba Kumar Doley, while speaking on the occasion said with the united efforts of Central and State governments, several welfare schemes for women have been taken and these schemes have already started giving dividends to the women. Under Kaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni aim has been made to form one lakh SHGs covering approximately 10 lakh households.

Synchronizing with the occasion Chief Minister Sonowal distributed cheques to 15 SHGs. MP Bijaya Chakraborty, MLA Ramendra rayan Kalita also spoke on the occasion.

PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, MLAs Suman Haripriya, Bhabesh Kalita, Prab Kalita, Additiol Chief Secretary MGVK Bhanu, Commissioner and Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development JB Ekka and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.