NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributed seed funds of Rs 10,000 each to over 53,000 women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) during an event in Barak Valley on Sunday. Calling it a Sankranti-eve gesture, Sarma said the initiative aims to bolster women’s entrepreneurship and pave the way for an “atmanirbhar future.” Sharing the update in a post on X, Sarma wrote, “A Sankranti eve gift for my sisters in Barak Valley! Over 53,000 of them will begin their journey towards creating an Atmanirbhar future for themselves through the #MMUA seed fund disbursed today. We are empowering ~40 lakh women in Assam to become Lakhpati Didis,” while also sharing photographs from the event.Over the past week, Sarma has been handing out MMUA cheques at a series of public events across Assam, including earlier distribution programmes at Howraghat LAC in Karbi Anglong district as well as in Tezpur.With seed funding disbursed across districts and more rounds planned, the Assam government says it expects the MMUA to generate sustained self-employment opportunities and lift rural household incomes in the coming years. The state government has positioned the initiative as a key pillar in its women-led development agenda, with officials claiming it will help strengthen financial independence and grassroots economic activity.The MMUA scheme is part of the Assam government’s broader mission to increase income levels among women, particularly in rural sectors, by promoting small-scale entrepreneurial ventures.
