Fraud beneficiaries under 'Orunodoi' scheme will be booked: Himanta Biswa Sarma

* Seats in medical colleges increased to 1000 from 350 in 2006

* 119 new high schools to commence operation in tea gardens from 2021

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that criminal proceedings would be initiated against those fraudulently trying to include their names as beneficiaries under the State Government's 'Orunodoi' scheme.

The ambitious 'Orunodoi' scheme is aiming to provide a monthly sum of Rs 830 to 20 lakh economically backward households in the State. The scheme is an endeavour "to empower the women of the State and to provide financial support to the economically vulnerable families." For the purpose of this scheme, a "household" shall comprise the eldest primary bread-earner (male), his wife, their dependent children, and their dependent relatives who "normally reside together and take their meals from a common kitchen/common cooking. The cash amount will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

"Of the targeted 20 lakh beneficiaries, we have been able to connect to the bank accounts of 66 per cent beneficiaries. But there are attempts to fraudulently include names in the Orunodoi scheme by depriving the genuine beneficiaries. I urge those trying to resort to fraudulent ways to withdraw their names. Once fraud beneficiaries are identified they will face criminal proceedings," Sarma told reporters on Saturday. He further said that the 'Orunodoi' logo will be displayed before homes of all the genuine beneficiaries.

Hitting at the Congress for terming the 'Orunodoi' scheme as a gimmick for the 2021 Assembly elections, Sarma said there are differences between beneficiaries and vote banks. "Many beneficiaries of the schemes launched by the present government are not voting the ruling BJP. The economically backward people of the State deserve to be benefitted under the scheme like Orunodoi," said the Minister.

Sarma, who is also the Health & Education Minister, said that the number of seats in the medical colleges across Assam in 2006 were only 350. He added that the number of seats in the medical colleges — including the newly set up Diphu Medical College — has been increased to 1,000. He stressed, "The State is now in a position to produce more doctors for better healthcare."

The Minister further said that the State Government is going to lay the foundation stones of 119 high schools in the tea garden areas on a single day on November 2. Construction works will also be started from the same day.

"This is probably for the first time after the British era that the State Government is going to set up high schools in such huge numbers in the tea garden areas. It will be a big boost to the Education sector especially for the 45 lakh tea population in the State. Regular classes in these 119 new high schools will commence from 2021," said Sarma.

Also watch: Live: Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Live From Janata Bhawan (Assam Secretariat)

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