Assam has implemented several schemes to promote the empowerment of women. These schemes aim to improve the socio-economic status of women, enhance their health and education, and support their active participation in various aspects of society. Here is a look into various such schemes:-

A. UJJAWALA: Combating Human Trafficking in Assam

Objective: Combat human trafficking of women and children; provide rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

Launch Date: 2007 (Nationally); implemented in Assam since then.

Components:

 - Awareness campaigns and community outreach.

 - Coordination with law enforcement to rescue victims.

 - Shelters, counseling, medical care, and vocational training.

 - Support for reintegrating survivors into society and families.

Nodal Department: Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Assam.

B. SWADHAR GREH: Providing Shelter and Support to Women in Distress

Objective: Provide shelter, food, and support services to women in difficult circumstances, including survivors of violence and trafficking.

Launch Date: 2001 (Nationally); implemented in Assam since its inception.

Components:

 - Temporary accommodation for women in distress.

 - Counseling, medical care, legal assistance, and vocational training.

 - Focus on reintegrating women into society.

Nodal Department: Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Assam.

There are 17 SwadharGreh in 12 districts of Assam, namely, Cachar,Dhubri ,Dibrugarh,Golaghat ,Hailakandi ,Jorhat,Kamrup Metropolitan, Karimganj, Lakhimpur,Morigaon, Nagaon, Sonitpur.

C. WORKING WOMEN HOSTEL: Safe Accommodation for Working Women

Objective: Promote availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women live away from their families due to professional commitments.

Target Beneficiaries – a). Working women, who may be single, widowed, divorced, separated, married but whose husband or immediate family does not reside in the same city/area. b). Women who are under training for job

Nodal Department: Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Assam.

D. SWANIRBHAR NAARI SCHEME

Launch Date: April 2023

Objective:

- Empower women by supporting their entrepreneurial ventures and enhancing financial independence, specially aimed at the weavers of Assam.

- Provides subsidies and low-interest loans to women entrepreneurs.

- Offers training programs to improve business management and entrepreneurial skills.

- Includes mentorship and resources for starting and sustaining businesses.

- Aims to boost women's participation in the economy and promote self-sufficiency.

E. ARUNDHATI GOLD LOAN SCHEME

Launched in: 2016

Objective: To provide financial assistance to underprivileged women for various needs, particularly marriage and education.

Benefits: Gold loans up to Rs. 25,000 at a subsidized interest rate.

F. KANCHANLATA MAHILA SIKSHA YOJANA

Launch Date: March 2023

Objective:

- Enhance educational opportunities for women and girls, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds.

- Provides scholarships and financial assistance for higher education.

- Includes vocational training to improve employability.

- Focuses on girls and women in economically disadvantaged communities.

- Aims to increase educational attainment and career prospects for women.

G. ADARSH MAHILA CHAAY BAGAN (AMC)

Launched in: 2017

Objective:

- To empower women through skill development and income generation in the tea plantation sector.

- Training in tea plantation management, processing, and marketing. Financial assistance for establishing and managing tea gardens.

H. LAKHPATI BAIDEO SCHEME:

Launched in: 2023

Objective:

- To transform 40 lakh Self Help Group (SHG) members into Rural Micro Entrepreneurs with an annual income target of 1 lakh for each member.

- Financial assistance, training, and support for micro-enterprises.

I. ASSAM ORUNODOI SCHEME (2024)

Objective:

- To alleviate poverty and provide financial assistance to women-headed households in Assam.

- Monthly cash transfers of Rs. 1,250 per household.

- Women-headed households with an annual income below Rs. 2 lakh.

2024 Updates:

Orunodoi 3.0: Launched in 2024, expanded benefits to cover more households.

Increased support for healthcare, education, and nutrition.

Beneficiaries: Over 27.77 lakh households.

J. LAKHPATI BAIDOW SCHEME (2024)

Objective:

- The scheme will offer ₹35,000 financial assistance to 40 lakh women and aims to empower them to achieve an annual income of ₹ 1 lakh.

- The 'Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan', implemented at an estimated cost of ₹ 4,000 crore, will offer every SHG worker ₹ 10,000 in the first year and ₹ 12,500 from the Government and another ₹ 12,500 from as bank loan (total 25,000) over next two years. The beneficiaries will have to submit a business plan to avail the grant

- To avail the scheme, the women must fulfill three preconditions. The beneficiary belonging to the general and OBC categories should not have more than three children, while those in the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes should not have more than four children.

K. KANAKLATA MAHILA SABALIKARAN YOJANA

Launch Date: March 2024

Objective:

- To empower women economically by providing financial aid and skill development support for self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Financial Assistance:

- Up to ₹50,000 per beneficiary.

- Low-interest loans of up to ₹2 lakh for starting or expanding businesses.

- Includes vocational training in various trades and business management.

- Regular workshops on entrepreneurship and technical skills. -

- Establishment of 100 resource centers across Assam for guidance and networking.

- Aims to support 50,000 women in becoming financially self-reliant.

- Promotes the establishment of at least 10,000 new micro-enterprises.

L. MUKHYA MANTRI NIJUT MOINA SCHEME (Budget 2024 Scheme)

- 10 Lakh girls to be supported with financial grants as admission incentive for higher education.

- Admission Incentive of Rs. 10,000 to be given to each girl student who joins Class XI.

- Rs. 12,500 to be given to each girl student who joins graduation first year.

- Rs. 15,000 to be given to each girl student who joins post-graduation first year.

- Only unmarried girls will be eligible for benefits under the scheme and they will have to study in a government run institution.

The scheme will fulfill two objectives-

- Increase girls enrollment in higher education.

- Bolster Assam government mission to eliminate child marriage.

M. MUKHYA MANTRI MAHILA UDYAMITA ABHIYAN SCHEME (Budget 2024 Scheme)

- To provide entrepreneurship fund of Rs. 10,000 to each one of 39,67,743 women members of SHGs in the rural areas.

- To facilitate a bank loan of minimum Rs. 25,000 to each eligible beneficiary. Further a capital subsidy of Rs. 12,500 will be provided to the beneficiary.

- Each beneficiary will get a minimum of Rs. 47,500 as grant, subsidy and loan together.

- The scheme in Urban Areas also as MUKHYA MANTRI MAHILA UDYAMITA ABHIYAN-NOGORIA covering approximately 2.5 lakh SHG members.

N. ASSAM MICROFINANCE INCENTIVE AND RELIEF SCHEME (AMFIRS)

The Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AMFIRS) was established by Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and formulated in 2021.

Provisions of the Scheme:

1. Budgetary Allocation: Amount: ₹7,500 crore.

2. Categorization of Borrowers:

  - Category A: Regularly Repaying. Assistance: ₹25,000 financial aid.

  - Category B: 1-89 Days Overdue. Assistance: ₹25,000 financial aid and clearance of overdue amounts.

  - Category C: Stressed and Destitute (Loans classified as Non-Performing Assets - NPA). Assistance: Complete waiver of loans.

  - Applicants must submit a specific format for consideration.

  - A new initiative under the AMFIRS for Category C will be launched, targeting stressed and destitute borrowers.

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