Tamulpur/Udalguri/Nalbari, April 1 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that two women from the same family will be included in the 'Orunodoi' scheme in households with a larger number of members, relaxing the existing one-family-one-beneficiary norm.
Addressing back-to-back election rallies at Goreswar in Tamulpur, Tangla in Udalguri, Tihu in Nalbari district and Hajo-Sualkuchi in Kamrup, Sarma said the scheme's coverage will also be expanded to include more eligible beneficiaries after the polls.
Under the Orunodoi scheme, eligible women receive financial assistance of Rs 1,250 per month directly in their bank accounts. The scheme currently covers nearly 40 lakh women.
"As Orunodoi is linked to ration cards, families with more members will be allotted two ration cards so that two women from the same household can benefit from the scheme," he said.
Sarma said that when a son in such families gets married, the newlywed bride will also be eligible for coverage under the scheme.
"That will be our wedding gift to the newlyweds," he added.
Sarma said that all eligible women left out of the scheme would be included after the elections.
Asserting that the BJP-led government in the state was addressing the basic needs of households through various welfare schemes, he said that besides 'Orunodoi', eligible families were receiving free food grains, and would also be provided essential commodities such as lentils, salt, sugar and mustard oil.
Maintaining that the BJP delivers on its promises, Sarma said public trust in politics had declined earlier due to unfulfilled assurances, but his party changed that perception by honouring its commitments.
He accused the Congress of promoting what he termed a "pro-illegal immigrant" agenda.
Referring to the Congress slogan 'Natun Bor Asom' (new greater Assam), he alleged that it was aimed at accommodating illegal immigrants.
"If Bangladeshi migrants come to Assam, what will happen to Assamese Muslims, Hindus and our rights? Assam is for Assamese and Indians," he said, urging people to support the BJP-led alliance in the April 9 elections.