Guwahati, August 1: The Assam government on Saturday launched Orunodoi 3.0, the latest phase of its flagship financial assistance programme for women, with Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing that nearly 37 lakh women across the state will receive benefits under the upgraded scheme.
Speaking at the launch event, Sarma said Orunodoi has become one of Assam’s largest social welfare initiatives, providing direct financial support to women and helping them meet household expenses while improving their economic security. He noted that the scheme has significantly contributed to strengthening the financial independence of lakhs of families.
To improve the implementation of the programme, the Chief Minister announced that every Assembly constituency will have a dedicated Orunodoi Sarathi. These field-level coordinators will assist beneficiaries with enrolment, documentation, and grievance redressal while ensuring that eligible women receive their benefits without unnecessary delays.
The government has also introduced Aadhaar-based verification for beneficiaries to enhance transparency and prevent irregularities in fund distribution. According to Sarma, linking Aadhaar with bank accounts will help eliminate fraudulent claims and ensure financial assistance reaches genuine beneficiaries. He, however, acknowledged that some recipients may experience temporary payment delays while the verification process is completed.
In another major announcement, the Chief Minister said beneficiaries will soon be allowed to withdraw a portion of their annual financial assistance in advance to meet urgent expenses. The advance amount can later be repaid through monthly deductions of Rs 200, providing greater financial flexibility during emergencies.
Highlighting the social impact of the programme, Sarma said Orunodoi has grown beyond a welfare scheme and now represents a strong network connecting millions of women across Assam. Referring to the recent floods, he said beneficiaries voluntarily contributed Rs 150 each towards relief efforts, with the collected funds set to support flood-affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat districts.
The Chief Minister also announced Rs 2,500 in immediate financial assistance for Orunodoi beneficiaries living in flood-hit areas. He urged women whose payments are pending due to Aadhaar verification to complete the process, assuring them that all outstanding amounts will be credited within the month.
The launch of Orunodoi 3.0 marks another expansion of Assam’s flagship welfare programme, with the government focusing on wider coverage, improved transparency, and faster delivery of financial assistance to women across the state.
