Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Thursday emphasised the state government’s strong commitment to women-led entrepreneurship while attending the ceremonial distribution of cheques under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA) for No. 3 Kokrajhar (ST) Legislative Assembly Constituency. The programme was held at Green Field, Kokrajhar.
Under the MMUA scheme, a total of 21,768 eligible women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) received financial assistance. Of these, 17,963 beneficiaries were covered under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), while 3,805 beneficiaries were supported under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM).
Addressing the gathering, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Minister of Public Health Engineering Department and other portfolios, congratulated all the women beneficiaries and highlighted the vision of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma to transform every SHG member into a “Lakhpati Baideu.” During his address, Jayanta Malla Baruah also announced the inclusion of 2,000 additional beneficiaries under the Arunodoi scheme from Kokrajhar district.
“Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the NDA Government has been consistently working to empower women across Assam and improve their standard of living by making them self-reliant. I firmly believe that through the combined efforts of the Assam Government and the Bodoland Territorial Council, women of Bodoland will soon become economically independent and contribute significantly to the state’s economy,” Jayanta Malla Baruah said.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary praised the MMUA initiative and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the ₹10,000 seed capital for productive purposes. He added that women who successfully utilise the assistance would be eligible for ₹25,000 in the next phase, followed by ₹50,000 based on performance, and reiterated BTC’s commitment to fulfilling pre-election promises, including land patta distribution.
Earlier, District Commissioner Pankaj Chakravarty welcomed the dignitaries and beneficiaries and stated that schemes like MMUA have the potential to transform the economic landscape of Assam and the Bodoland region by promoting women entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
The programme was attended by MP Joyanta Basumatary, MLAs Rabiram Narzary and Lawrence Islary, BTC Executive Members Derhasat Basumatary, Prakash Basumatary, Dhaneshwar Goyary, Moon Moon Brahma, Mrityunjay Narzary, along with MCLAs, senior government officials, heads of departments, and other distinguished guests.