GUWAHATI: In a bid to empower the youth and promote self-sufficiency, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the "Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan" - a new self-employment scheme. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to foster entrepreneurship and self-employment among the state's youth.
CM Sarma also announced that approximately 2.2 lakh women borrowers who were unable to repay their microfinance loans will receive relief under the state government's program. This fulfils a significant election promise made during the Assam Assembly polls two years ago.
Addressing the media, CM Sarma emphasized the government's commitment to fulfilling its promises and clarified that loans that had become non-performing as of March 31, 2021, would be granted relief.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “A section of the media also claimed that we have backtracked on our earlier poll promises. I want to make it clear that we have been fulfilling all our promises. Those loans which had become non-performing as of March 31, 2021, will get reliefs.”
Under the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme, the state government is disbursing a total of Rs 291 crore as compensation to microfinance institutions. This move is expected to benefit around 2.2 lakh women borrowers from across the state, with the added condition that the microfinance institutions issue no-due certificates to the borrowers upon loan clearance.
This development comes in the wake of the passage of the Nari Shakri Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Bill) in both houses of Parliament during a recent special session. CM Sarma expressed satisfaction with the state's progress in fulfilling election promises, stating that they are nearing a 100% completion rate in delivering on their commitments. This development is also in line with the promises of the state government to promote entrepreneurship in the state.
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