Assam CM reviews PMAY fund distribution, pushes for fair gamocha prices under ‘Swanirbhar Naari’

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 17, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday held a video conference with District Commissioners and Co-District Commissioners at Janata Bhawan, Dispur, to review the distribution of sanction letters for the first installment of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin). The initiative will benefit 3,88,358 people across the state, with the distribution set for March 19, 2025.

Sarma stated that the disbursal would take place across 126 assembly constituencies at district and co-district levels, following a central event in Palashbari. A list of dignitaries, including ministers, MPs, and MLAs, had been forwarded to officials, and he urged them to finalize all arrangements by tomorrow.

During the meeting, the CM also discussed the “Swanirbhar Naari” scheme, aimed at ensuring fair prices for Gamocha weavers. Under this initiative, the Assam government directly procures Gamochas from weavers at fixed prices, eliminating middlemen. Sarma noted that the government had already purchased 6.5 lakh Gamochas this year and planned to increase procurement to 10 lakh next year.

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He directed District Commissioners to buy Gamochas directly from weavers for government programs. He also highlighted growing demand in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, stating that he had urged their Chief Ministers to procure Assam-made Gamochas. Plans are also underway to establish Gamocha sales centres at every Assam Bhavan.

The meeting was attended by J.B. Ekka, Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department; K.K. Dwivedi, Principal Secretary to the CM; Keerthi Jalli, Commissioner of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department; and other senior officials.