Golaghat News: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 3, 2026, distributed ₹10,000 each to 27,166 women. The amount was given under the Assam Women Entrepreneurship Scheme at Bokakhat in Golaghat district. The move comes ahead of the 2027 Assam Assembly elections, triggering political debate.
The government implemented the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Asoni as part of its women empowerment agenda. Critics, however, allege that cash assistance before elections has become a political strategy. Similar measures surfaced during Bihar’s Assembly elections, where women received financial aid under a state employment scheme.
The Assam government launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan in January 2024. The scheme aims to make two crore women “Lakhpati Didis.” It focuses on women associated with self-help groups in rural areas. The objective is to develop them as rural micro-entrepreneurs with an annual income target of ₹1 lakh.
Eligible beneficiaries receive ₹10,000 in the first year. Over the next two years, the government provides ₹12,500 support, along with ₹12,500 as bank credit. The application portal closed on December 31, 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Sarma said over 16 lakh women have already benefited. He added another 16 lakh will receive assistance soon. The Chief Minister claimed the scheme could add ₹32,000 crore to Assam’s economy.
