Empowering Assam Women Amid Criticism: ₹8,000 Advance Orunodoi Transfer Sparks Debate

On January 1, 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that ₹8,000 will be transferred to the bank accounts of 37 lakh women in Assam on February 20, 2026. The announcement, shared on X by political commentator Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws), coincides with the upcoming Assam Assembly elections scheduled for March–April 2026, drawing both praise and criticism.

🚨On 20 Feb, ₹8,000 will be transferred to the bank accounts of 37 lakh women in Assam.

—Himanta Biswa Sarma

(The 2026 Assam Assembly elections will be held in March-April.) pic.twitter.com/POgzjuGlC9

— Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws) January 1, 2026

This cash transfer forms part of the Orunodoi scheme, launched in 2020 to provide direct financial support to women from low-income households earning less than ₹2 lakh annually. The scheme has expanded rapidly—from 19 lakh beneficiaries in 2020 to 37 lakh women by 2026—and the ₹8,000 transfer is structured as:

• ₹5,000 as advance Orunodoi allowance for April–May 2026
• ₹3,000 as a special Bohag Bihu bonus

The total state expenditure is estimated at around ₹2,960 crore. CM Sarma emphasized that this initiative aims to empower women, improve nutrition, and support livelihoods, complementing other programs like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, which provides seed capital for women entrepreneurs, and past relief schemes like ₹18,000 for pregnant tea garden workers.

Debate and Public Opinion

The timing of the transfer, just six weeks before elections, has sparked heated debate:

• Critical voices accuse the government of vote buying. Many users on X and in media commentary called it “legalized bribery,” raising concerns about fiscal responsibility, fairness compared to other states like Bihar, and long-term dependency on public funds. Opposition parties, including Congress, criticized the move as biased and opportunistic.
• Supporters highlight the empowerment aspect, praising the government for extending financial aid to marginalized women and sustaining a successful welfare program. Proponents argue that the assistance is transformative, especially amid rising living costs, and benefits those often ignored in policy decisions.
• Neutral or satirical responses acknowledge the scheme as a political masterstroke, predicting electoral advantages for BJP, while taxpayers express frustration at being contributors without personal benefit.

Similar pre-poll cash transfers have been noted in Bihar (₹10,000) and Maharashtra, highlighting a pattern where women voters are targeted as a key demographic before elections.

Expert Opinion and Future Expectations

Economists warn that repeated pre-election transfers may strain Assam’s finances, but some political analysts suggest the move could increase women’s participation in elections and generate goodwill if managed sustainably. Looking forward, the success of Orunodoi could influence similar welfare-driven strategies in other states, provided it balances electoral interests with economic responsibility.

The broader debate remains: can empowerment-focused welfare coexist with ethical election practices? Assam’s ₹8,000 Orunodoi transfer may set a benchmark, both for financial support to women and the scrutiny of welfare policies in electoral politics.

FAQs

Q1: What is the Orunodoi scheme?
A1: Launched in 2020, it provides monthly financial aid to women from low-income households to support nutrition and livelihoods.

Q2: How is the ₹8,000 distributed?
A2: ₹5,000 as advance allowance for April–May 2026, and ₹3,000 as a Bohag Bihu bonus.

Q3: Why is it controversial?
A3: Critics argue it’s a pre-election incentive, potentially influencing voters while straining state finances.

Q4: How many women are benefitting?
A4: Over 37 lakh women in Assam are scheduled to receive the transfer.