By Anjani Kumar, Senior Journalist
Assam’s ambitious Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan aims to uplift 30 lakh women with financial aid for self-employment, fostering economic independence through phased funding, starting with Rs 10,000 seed capital.
On January 13, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, a landmark women’s entrepreneurship scheme, in Behali, Biswanath district. Targeting 30 lakh women, the initiative provides financial assistance to promote self-employment and economic independence. The scheme aligns with Assam’s broader strategy to empower women through education, livelihoods, and social welfare.
Scheme Details
The Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan is designed to catalyze micro-entrepreneurship among women across Assam, with phased financial support:
Year 1: Rs 10,000 as seed capital to initiate self-employment ventures.
Year 2: Rs 25,000 (Rs 12,500 as a loan and Rs 12,500 as government subsidy), contingent on effective utilization of the initial funds.
Year 3: Rs 50,000 to scale up successful enterprises.
The scheme, rolled out in phases, prioritizes women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, aiming to enhance financial inclusion and create sustainable livelihoods. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized prudent use of funds, stating, “We are giving Rs 10,000 today, hoping you will judiciously utilize this money for one year”.
Broader Vision for Women’s Empowerment
Speaking at the launch, Sarma highlighted Assam’s multi-pronged approach to uplifting “Nari Shakti,” including free schooling, livelihood support, old-age pensions, and free food grains. He announced the scheme on his official X handle, writing, “With the blessings of our mothers and sisters, today we launched the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, providing 10,000 seed capital to women to boost self-employment opportunities”. The initiative complements existing programs like the Orunodoi scheme, which supports 31 lakh women with monthly financial aid.
Implementation and Impact
The scheme targets women in rural and urban areas, with eligibility criteria ensuring inclusivity across communities. The Assam government has allocated Rs 4,000 crore for the initial phase, covering 40 lakh self-help group (SHG) members, of which 30 lakh are women. The phased funding model encourages accountability, requiring beneficiaries to demonstrate meaningful use of funds to access subsequent tranches. This approach aims to foster sustainable businesses in sectors like handicrafts, agriculture, and small-scale retail, boosting Assam’s economy.
Context and Significance
Assam’s initiative aligns with India’s push for women-led development, as seen in national schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which has disbursed over Rs 23 lakh crore to women entrepreneurs nationwide. By focusing on micro-entrepreneurship, the scheme addresses Assam’s high female unemployment rate (8.6% in 2023–24) and aims to reduce economic disparities in the Northeast. The program has drawn praise on X for its scale, though some users raised concerns about implementation challenges in remote areas.
The Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan marks a significant step toward empowering 30 lakh women in Assam through financial independence and entrepreneurship. By providing phased funding and aligning with broader welfare initiatives, Assam aims to create a robust ecosystem for women-led economic growth, setting a model for other states.
