Assamese village benefits from welfare schemes

Improving lives of the rural population is one of the top most priorities of the government. Several welfare schemes have been launched to achieve this goal.

Chetia Gaon, situated on the outskirts of Assam's Jorhat District, is making progress with the implementation of such schemes.

Thirty-two-year-old Kheiramoni Saikia, a resident of Chetia Gaon, is a mother of two, and could barely meet the needs of the household with the meager income of her husband, who works as a daily wage labourer.

However, under the Central Government's MGNREGA scheme, she has been provided a job card, through which she gets work as a daily wager in various construction projects.

She is happy that she is now able to provide for her children's education.

"We have got lots of benefit from the job card. With the money I earn through it, I can provide for my children's education. I also use the money for my household expenses," said Saikia.

Most residents of the village are either engaged in agriculture or work as daily wagers. While the village is making economic progress, it faces problems due to poor road connectivity.

Under the MGNREGA scheme, the government has sanctioned a project for the construction of pucca road from Baghchung to Chetia Gaon, the work for which is in full swing.

All job card holders of the village are engaged in the construction work on rotation basis. The project has provided employment to many residents of the area. ASTON:

"The job card has benefited us a lot. Whatever money I earn, I deposit it in the post office. In the future if there is some problem, I will be able to use it for my family," added Leena Gogoi, job card holder.

Both the central and state governments are trying to uplift the living standard of the people. The proper implementation of welfare schemes has come as a boon for people in the rural areas.