The Assam government disbursed ₹380 crore on Monday under the pension and Orunodoi schemes, providing direct financial assistance to eligible women across the state. The Orunodoi scheme, a flagship initiative, ensures cash benefits to beneficiaries on the 10th of every month.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the transaction through a post on X, stating, “Credited: Pension and Orunodoi for the month of March. Over 43 lakh people will get this message as we transfer over ₹380 crore to the people of Assam in a short while from now.”
Strengthening Welfare Through Ration Card Linkage
To prevent fraudulent claims and improve efficiency, the state government has linked the Orunodoi scheme with ration cards. Recently, the administration distributed 20 lakh new ration cards to eligible beneficiaries across the state.
CM Sarma emphasized the government’s commitment to food security, noting that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was implemented in Assam in December 2015 to safeguard the nutritional needs of 2.51 crore beneficiaries. He highlighted that 85% of rural residents and 60% of urban inhabitants should have access to ration cards.
Following Aadhaar-ration card linkage, the state has issued an additional 60 lakh ration cards, enabling the seamless distribution of free rice through biometric verification. The CM also lauded the successful implementation of the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme, which allows beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains from anywhere in India.
Health Benefits for Ration Card Holders
In addition to food security, CM Sarma announced that families holding ration cards would be eligible for free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh at government hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam schemes.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, 42.85 lakh new beneficiaries have been included, with 10.73 lakh families receiving ration cards in January alone, benefiting over 52 lakh people. The CM reiterated that ration cards must be collected between the 1st and 10th of each month, ensuring only genuine beneficiaries receive aid.
