Assam's Chief Minister Promises Inclusion in Welfare Schemes for Indigenous Communities

Commitment to Indigenous Welfare

Guwahati, June 15: On Sunday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reaffirmed that all eligible indigenous and tribal individuals in Assam will be included in government welfare initiatives.

Speaking at a public gathering in Dibrugarh, Sarma emphasized the importance of collaboration among government departments to ensure that both central and state benefits reach every deserving individual.

He introduced the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana, a new initiative set to launch this year, aimed at enhancing coordination and expediting welfare services in tribal regions.

“This scheme will guarantee effective implementation of both social and individual welfare programs. Although autonomous councils under the Sixth Schedule often face funding shortages, this initiative will enable collaboration between these councils and the state government to provide essential services like roads and electricity to every tribal village,” Sarma explained.

Initially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jharkhand in November 2024, the scheme aims to ensure that key welfare programs reach tribal and indigenous populations.

“The goal is to make sure that all major welfare initiatives—such as PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, ration cards, Jan Dhan accounts, and MGNREGA—are accessible to every eligible tribal household. This will also extend to state programs like Nijut Moina, Mahila Udyamita, and Orunodoi,” he added.

The Chief Minister expressed the state's commitment to implementing the scheme within the year, aiming for significant improvements in tribal and indigenous communities over the next five years.

“India has approximately 63,000 tribal villages, with Assam housing around 6,000. Development will only be impactful when welfare benefits reach these communities,” he stated.

In a critique of the Opposition, Sarma highlighted that the BJP’s “double engine government” is dedicated to inclusive development.

“The Congress party has historically believed that only minorities should benefit from India’s resources. In contrast, under the BJP, our mission is to ensure that all groups—indigenous, tribal, and minority—receive their fair share, in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he concluded.