Bengaluru: In a move that is touted to help Assam women a great deal, the state government launched what’s called the Orunodoi scheme. 

The feature of the scheme is that every household would get a sum of Rs 830 per month. As many as 18 lakh families are expected to derive benefit out of this. 

The scheme, which is worth Rs 2800 crore, is designed keeping in mind the marginalised families. 

“The aim of this scheme is not only providing financial benefits, but several objectives of public welfare are associated with this. Food security is one of the objectives of the Orunodoi scheme. Rs 830 has been provided, so that the beneficiary can buy medicines of Rs 400 every month. Five KGs of lentils can be purchased at Rs 200, Rs 80 can be spent for buying sugar. Remaining Rs.\ 150 will be spent in buying the fruits,” said minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, as quoted by NewsliveTV. 

“The budgeted amount for this Scheme for this year is 2800 Cr. This marks a paradigm shift in the approach to poverty alleviation program, where government does not decide how money should be spent for the poor, but where a substantial cash transfer to poor households shall enable them to take informed decision to spend money on health and nutrition,” a press release said. 

What is to be noted here is that the emphasis is on the female head of the family. The amount, under DBT, is sent to the account of the female head who has to open a bank account in the nearest bank. 

Reports add that research has found out that such transfers have a greater impact if it is overseen by the female head. 

The government intends to add more such marginalised families to the scheme so that they can derive more benefits out of it.