While presenting the budget for the year 2019-20, state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced a slew of schemes for the welfare of the residents of Assam. As the year 2019 has now ended, G Plus recalls the same and will seek to do a check on the extent of implementation of these schemes in the subsequent weeks.
The government had announced these schemes for different sections of society. Here’s a look at the major sops and their status of implementation which were promised by the government for this year:
• A university for the divyangjans (persons with disabilities) was to be set up under the Deen Dayal Divyang Sahayjya Asoni scheme in Boko of Kamrup district.
• A budget of Rs 200 crores was earmarked for the “Minority Girls Scholarship Scheme.” The scheme aims to strengthen education of girls belonging to the minority communities to encourage and incentivise them to continue their higher education and stay on in the formal education system.
• The government had planned to launch a new scheme called Immediate Family Assistance wherein widows will receive Rs 25,000 under Indira Miri Universal pension Scheme. The widow will also be eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 250 until she attains the age of 60 years, post which, she will be moved to the old age pension scheme.
• For the welfare of tea tribes, the government had decided to provide rice, which was being provided at the rate of Rs 3 per kg under NFSA, free of cost to 4 lakh families in the tea garden areas covering a total of 20 lakh beneficiaries during the financial year.
• A Cashless Health Assurance scheme, “Atal Amrit Abhiyaan,” was to be rolled out from this year which would enable treatment for citizens for six critical diseases across leading hospitals in India.
• The finance minister had allocated Rs. 250 crores for old age pension scheme
• The government would provide free textbooks to students up to graduation level, from the present level of class XII and free uniforms to government school students up to Class VIII.
• Battery operated 'e-bikes' was to be provided to all girl students who secured first division or above in higher secondary examinations for commuting to their schools and colleges. Rs 25 crores was earmarked for the same.
• The government had announced to provide one tola gold, valued at around Rs 38,000 to brides belonging to various communities of Assam where it is customary to provide gold at the time of the wedding. The minister had said that benefit under this scheme can be availed upon formal registration of the marriages under the Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954 and will reach the beneficiaries right on time for the social marriage. Rs 300 crores was earmarked for this scheme.
• Financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each to be provided to people and students who had taken education loans previously and or would choose to take it in the years to come.
• A development corporation for the indigenous Muslims was to be established by the government. It would take up various programmes aimed at the holistic development of this section of society.
• The government had announced to provide rice at a further subsidized rate of 1 rupee per kg, under ANNA - Affordable Nutrition & Nourishment Assistance. “In order to further strengthen food security for our people, we will provide rice at a further subsidized rate of 1 rupee per kg instead of the present rate of 3 rupees per kg and this move will benefit 53 lakh households,” Sarma had announced.
• Sarma had announced that a separate new district from the existing Dima Hasao district would be created for better accessibility of government schemes for the people.
• Asom Darshan Scheme was announced to develop various places of tourist interest, including those blessed with natural beauty as well as those of religious/historical importance.
• Rs 27 crore special package was announced for Dima Hasao.