CM: 80 lakh people lifted out of multi-dimensional poverty

Guwahati: Assam has successfully lifted over 80 lakh people out of multi-dimensional poverty in recent years, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday on the occasion of International day for the eradication of poverty.
The CM attributed the accomplishment to several policies taken up by the govt in recent years to improve citizens’ living conditions, including the Orunodoi scheme, free foodgrain distribution, subsidised medicines, among others.
While sharing a tally in percentage reduction in poverty across 23 districts in the state from 2015-2016 to 2019-2021 on his X handle, Sarma wrote, “In the last few years, over 80 lakh people have escaped multi-dimensional poverty in Assam; a testament to our efforts to fight poverty. A comprehensive net of policies – Orunodoi (monthly financial assistance), free foodgrains, free treatment, subsidised medicines, a home with water connection among others are being offered to citizens to improve their living conditions. On International Day for the Eradication of #Poverty, we reiterate our commitment to uplift the citizens of Assam.”
According to Sarma, Darrang district has witnessed a reduction in poverty from 38.22% in 2015-16 to 23.65% in 2019-21. Similarly, the tally for some of the other districts are — 25.32% to 19.94% in Sonitpur, 40.15 to 18.34% in Goalpara, 37.59% to 16.20% in Karbi Anglong, 27.71% to 13.73% in Dhemaji, 36.75% to 22.46% in Morigaon.
While Kamrup (metro) district witnessed a reduction from 25.55% to 10.28 %, Kamrup district witnessed 26.22% to 12.71%.
The result has demonstrated the effectiveness of targeted interventions in addressing poverty in the state by the govt.