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As part of the ongoing "12 Days of Development" initiative launched on December 11th to accelerate Assam's developmental progress and prioritize the well-being of its people, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Saturday visited Golaghat and distributed several key benefits to the people, an official release said.
These included No Due Certificates to beneficiaries under the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (Phase III, Category II), Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to those affected by the 2024 floods, and seed capital to self-help groups as part of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, as per release. Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma highlighted that, under the third phase of the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme, 5,119 women borrowers in Golaghat have been freed from their microfinance loans. Additionally, financial assistance has been provided to 2,011 families affected by floods in the district, with Bokakhat being the worst-hit area, where 1,970 families suffered losses. He stated how 189 self-help groups in Golaghat had received seed capital through the PMFME scheme, marking an important step toward promoting entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency in the region. The CM also emphasized that the "12 Days of Development" initiative is a concerted effort by the state government to reach out to people across Assam. "The initiative aims to engage with communities, hold discussions, and implement measures that directly address the concerns of the populace. Six key schemes are being actively pursued during this period to fulfil the public's aspirations, with three schemes focused on students and the other three aimed at benefiting mothers," CM Sarma said. He also pointed out the launch of awards such as the Dr. Banikanta Kakati and Anundoram Barooah Awards for students, alongside the distribution of bicycles to ninth-grade students. He also noted that members of the Assam Cabinet have been working tirelessly across districts to provide debt relief to women borrowers, offer assistance to flood-affected families, and distribute support to self-help groups under the PMFME scheme. The Chief Minister also mentioned that women in Golaghat, who had taken loans ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 but were unable to repay them, had been granted No Due Certificates after their debts were cleared with the bank, fulfilling a key promise made by the government during the elections. He also emphasized the transparency of government recruitment processes, including exams conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission, ensuring that even children from economically disadvantaged families have the opportunity to secure government jobs based on merit. This merit-based approach has, he added, has instilled a renewed focus on education among the youth, marking the beginning of a new era for Assam. CM Sharma outlined the state's ambitious plans for infrastructure development, announcing the commencement of a tunnel road construction project from Numaligarh to Gohpur, with an estimated investment of Rs 12,000 crore, the release said. He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to strengthening Assam's infrastructure, including the construction of bridges over the Brahmaputra, medical colleges, and universities, and the prompt repair of flood-damaged infrastructure. He also touched upon ongoing initiatives such as the Assam Mukhya Mantri Udyamita scheme, under which women in self-help groups would receive Rs 10,000 in financial support, with plans to increase the amount to Rs 15,000 in the following year along with assistance from the government in availing bank loans. He added that the government is working to distribute ration cards to 10,000 more families from every constituency in Golaghat and to include 1.5 lakh women under the Orunodoi Scheme, an initiative aimed at empowering women in Assam. The event was attended by Minister of Finance etc. Ajanta Neog, Minister of Agriculture etc. Atul Bora, MLAs Bhabendra Nath Bharali, Biswajit Phukan, and Mrinal Saikia, and other dignitaries. Later today, the CM took stock of the progress of the Golaghat Integrated District Commissioner's Office construction and issued directives to ensure its timely completion. He also assessed the ongoing construction of the Golaghat Medical College and Hospital, which is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 582 crore, along with the Golaghat Cancer Hospital. With 52% of the Golaghat Medical College and Hospital already completed, the project is expected to be finished by mid-2026, marking a significant milestone in the state's healthcare infrastructure. Prior to his engagement in the "12 Days of Development" event in Golaghat, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commenced the day by planting a pine tree within the grounds of the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy in Dergaon. (ANI)
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