In a major push for rural self-reliance and women’s empowerment, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributed 9,704 scooters to community cadres under the Sakhi Express initiative at a function held at Veterinary College Field, Khanapara.
Alongside, the Chief Minister launched the Livelihood Rural Express Scheme, under which 51 commercial vehicles will be provided to Cluster Level Federations to promote rural transport services through self-help groups (SHGs).
The Sakhi Express scheme, first announced in the 2020–21 state budget, was initially meant for Jeevika Sakhis and later expanded in 2022–23 to cover Pashu Sakhis, Bank Sakhis, CRP–Enterprise Promotion, Master Bookkeepers, Internal Mentors, MSP Trainers, and BDSP Trainers. As of 2025–26, more than 19,000 community cadres are engaged under the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission, officials said.
Assam’s Jeevika Sakhis, Bank Sakhis, etc, who are part of the broader Community Cadre framework play an important role in ensuring that our vibrant SHG ecosystem thrives and gets all the required facilities and training right near them.
These cadres are the backbone of the SHGs. pic.twitter.com/j8S7cvBVK8
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 30, 2025
Each cadre received a scooter, a helmet, and ₹500 per month for fuel support. “The scooters will boost mobility, reduce travel costs, and strengthen the functioning of SHGs, thereby contributing to rural self-reliance and women’s empowerment,” Sarma said.
Highlighting the impact of SHGs in Assam, the Chief Minister said that efforts of Jeevika Sakhis had brought 40 lakh women into the network, with about three lakh SHGs receiving ₹556 crore in revolving funds, over two lakh SHGs receiving ₹1,089 crore in community investment funds, and 7.5 lakh SHGs securing bank loans worth ₹16,000 crore. He added that 99 per cent of women beneficiaries had successfully repaid their loans.
Referring to broader women-centric schemes such as Orunodoi, Nijut Moina, Mukhya Mantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, and panchayat reservations for women, Sarma said these measures were building “a new generation of women role models” across Assam. He also noted that 8.82 lakh women entrepreneurs have recently elevated themselves to the rank of Lakhpati Baideu.
The Chief Minister urged cadres to set an example by adopting small family norms and to actively campaign against child marriage. He also assured that Jeevika Sakhis yet to benefit from the Orunodoi scheme would soon be brought under its ambit, including eligibility for the ₹250 monthly LPG subsidy.
The state government, he said, sees SHGs not only as an instrument of economic empowerment but also as agents of social change at the grassroots level.
