Assam Government Orders Government Employees to Opt Out of Orunodoi Scheme by December 24
The state government has issued a directive requiring all government employees, as well as their dependent family members, who are currently receiving benefits under the Orunodoi Scheme, to opt out of the program by December 24, 2024. Failure to comply will result in stern disciplinary action. Orunodoi scheme will provide Financial Assistance of Rs. 1000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to around 19.10 Lakh Families in the state.
This directive was issued through a notification by the state’s Finance (Institutional Finance) Department, referencing the Orunodoi Scheme guidelines. The notification follows the scheme’s exclusion criteria outlined in a previous notification dated September 19, 2024. According to these criteria, certain categories of individuals are not eligible for the scheme, including:
- Teachers at universities, colleges, high schools, and other educational institutions (both regular and contractual).
- Government employees, pensioners, and contractual workers, including Anganwadi workers, mid-day meal workers, ASHA workers, ASHA supervisors, and Gaon Pradhans.
The government has noted that some individuals or their family members, who fall under these categories, are still receiving benefits from the scheme, which is a violation of the guidelines.
In light of this, the government has made it clear that all government employees and their dependents who are receiving Orunodoi benefits must opt out of the scheme by the specified deadline. Non-compliance will lead to strict disciplinary measures.
This announcement comes as the Orunodoi 3.0 beneficiary selection process, called “Orunodoi Poshek,” is underway from December 15 to 28, 2024. Following this, a draft list of beneficiaries for Orunodoi 3.0 will be published.
The state government is focused on ensuring that only eligible beneficiaries are part of the Orunodoi 3.0 scheme. This version of the scheme is designed to prioritize vulnerable groups such as destitute women, persons with disabilities, widows, and transgender individuals, providing them with financial security.
Under Orunodoi 3.0, families with an income below Rs. 2 lakh are eligible to apply. The government will allocate Rs. 467 crore per month to support the scheme, which, alongside the National Food Security Act (NFSA), aims to create a comprehensive social security network covering nutritional, financial, medical, and other essential needs for these vulnerable groups.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during the launch of Orunodoi 3.0 in September, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting these communities, stating that the scheme would help provide financial security and improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations in the state.
