Pankaj Nath,m, Assam, 17 September: In coordination with the state‑level programme held at the Jyoti–Vishnu International Art Mandir in Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam the Chief Minister’s ““Aatma Nirvor Asom Abhiyan” (CMAAA) 1.0 and 2.0 organised simultaneous financial assistance distribution events today across all three assembly constituencies of Darrang district — Mangaldoi, Sipajhar and Dalgaon. Combined coverage under both phases in the district exceeds 2,360 Beneficiaries. The Mangaldoi event took place at the district library auditorium and was attended by Assam’s Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Nilima Devi. She said the initiative effectively promotes youth self‑employment and urged beneficiaries to scale up their enterprises. Darrang Commissioner Ayushi Jain summarised the scheme’s objectives, procedures and entitlements, and presented success stories to encourage more people to take up entrepreneurship. According to district figures, CMAAA 1.0 supported 377 beneficiaries in its first phase — Mangaldoi 164, Sipajhar 169 and Dalgaon 44. The second phase added 187 beneficiaries — Mangaldoi 63, Sipajhar 102 and Dalgaon 22 — bringing the total under CMAAA 1.0 in Darrang to 564 beneficiaries.Under CMAAA 2.0, 1,796 eligible beneficiaries in Darrang have been identified to receive financial assistance of Rs 25,000 each: Mangaldoi 724, Sipajhar 785 and Dalgaon 287. Several beneficiaries shared inspiring turnaround stories at the programme. Pabitra C. Das of Mangaldoi invested nearly Rs 10 lakh in a garment business and reported about a 90% increase in turnover. Cosmetics vendor Vinod Deka said his sales rose by roughly 20%, profits increased by about 5%, and his market reach improved by around 10%. Veterinary practitioner Bakul Saikia, who has over ten years’ experience, set up a veterinary centre and an animal‑feed retail outlet and established fish farming across seven bighas of land, demonstrating how allied activities can create multiple income streams. The Darrang gatherings were attended by Assam Fishery Development Corporation chairman Gurujyoti Das, Mangaldoi municipal chairperson Nirmali Devi, senior and junior district administration officers, departmental heads and a large number of beneficiaries. The central programme in Guwahati was telecast live for those present. Officials said the CMAAA initiative is fostering local employment, expanding micro‑enterprises and strengthening the economic self‑reliance of young entrepreneurs at the grassroots. They added that the combination of direct financial support, training and local mentoring is helping beneficiaries scale operations and diversify income sources, contributing to broader economic resilience in the district.
