The Sakhi Express scheme of the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission, which will distribute 6,670 scooters to "community cadres," was officially launched on Sunday by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Under the "Jeevika Sakhi Express" scheme ASRLM, a total of 4,238 scooters were supplied in the 2020–21 fiscal year, bringing the overall distribution of scooters to 10,908. Beneficiaries of "Sakhi Express" includes "Krishi Sakhi", "Bima Sakhi", "Pashu Sakhi", "Jivika Sakhi”, among others who, as "community cadres" work towards mobilizing and members of self-help groups in their fields.
CM Sarma expressed confidence that the "Sakhis" who have been given scooters by ASRLM will work sincerely to mobilize and motivate members of self-help groups in order to achieve financial self-sufficiency and independence during his remarks at the event held at the Sankardev Kalakshetra Auditorium.
The Chief Minister exuded optimism that the success of female-run self-help group members would significantly advance Assam's goal of becoming one of the states with the highest per capita gross state domestic product.
Sarma praised the state's self-help groups for promptly repaying their loan installments to banks and other financial institutions while discussing the significance of credit inflow in business ventures of all types.
"This would ensure the bad loan component under priority-sector lending would remain within tolerable limits, thus leading to further infusion of funds for the expansion of activities by the self-help groups," he said.
The Chief Minister noted that Assam relies heavily on products from other states of the nation, including milk, eggs, cereals, and edible oil. He advised self-help groups to work to expand their operations into Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) production units so they can take advantage of various benefits, such as loan programs and tax benefits that the government formulates from time to time.
The Chief Minister also used the platform for today's event to spread the message of the importance of family planning.
He asked the "Sakhis" in attendance to work to educate rural people about the advantages of having a small family.
The Chief Minister continued, "A small, content family should always take priority over a large, impoverished family.
ASRLM Mission Director Krishna Baruah, P&RD Principal Secretary JB Ekka, P&RD Commissioner Bikram Kairi, and "Sakhis" from nearby districts also attended today's event in addition to Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency Member of Parliament Queen Ojha, Dispur Assembly constituency Member of Legislative Assembly Atul Bora, Additional Chief Secretary Paban Kumar Borthakur, and P&RD Principal Secretary JB Ekka.
