Minister Ashok Singhal Launches 12-Day Development Programme in Tezpur, Distributes Flood Relief and Microfinance Benefits

Our Correspondent 

Tezpur: Under the 12-day development programme Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Irrigation, Ashok Singhal, participated as the chief guest in a programme. The event included the distribution of loan clearance (No Dues) certificates to 3,140 beneficiaries under the third phase of the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme, direct financial assistance to 11,939 flood-affected beneficiaries of 2024, and seed capital to 173 members of self-help groups under the formalization scheme for micro food processing enterprises. The event was organized by Sonitpur district administration at the playground of Collegiate school playground in Tezpur on December 19. 

During the event, Minister Singhal ceremonially distributed No Dues certificates, symbolic cheques for flood relief, and approval letters for seed capital to the beneficiaries, marking the launch of the program. 

In his speech, the minister highlighted that the government has launched the 12 Development programme initiative to benefit nearly 11 lakh poor families across the state through various schemes from the education, industry, finance, and revenue departments. He mentioned that the 2024 floods caused significant damage across the state, and the government had taken immediate steps to support those affected. As part of the initiative, rupees 353 crore in flood relief will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of 6,86,487 families affected by the devastating floods. In Sonitpur district alone, rupees 3.87 crore was distributed among 11,939 beneficiaries. Regarding the microfinance loan relief, the minister stated that the government has consistently worked over the past three and a half years to fulfill its election promise of waiving microfinance loans for women. In the first year of its tenure, the government spent rupees 1,600 crore to assist 8,72,739 women who faced difficulties repaying loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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