Assam minister of state (independent) for irrigation Bhabesh Kalita on Wednesday launched the redesigned Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment (Re- SVAYEM) Yojana in Dhemaji district.

Addressing a gathering at Dhemaji Court Field on the occasion, minister Kalita highlighted the advantages of the ambitious youth welfare scheme.

The minister hoped the scheme will help the unemployed youths of the state for their economic empowerment through various income generation activities.

He also recalled various flagship schemes initiated by the Sarbananda Sonowal-led Assam government to boost the socio-economic status of the poor and destitute people through entrepreneurship activities.

Kalita was accompanied by Dhemaji MLA Ranoj Pegu and a host of government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Ranoj Pegu urged the youths to avail of the benefits of the scheme to enhance their economic strength through industrial activities.

Speaking on the occasion, Dhemaji deputy commissioner Narsing Pawar informed that the scheme includes as many as 5,000 beneficiaries in the first phase.

Each selected group will get financial assistance of Rs 50,000 under the scheme, out of which Rs 30,000 will be debited into their bank accounts through DBT.

The minister and other dignitaries distributed cheques of the first installment among the selected beneficiaries.

The SVAYEM Yojana is a flagship programme for providing financial support to the unemployed youths of the state to take up income generating activities in the manufacturing, trading and service sector.

The scheme was launched in the district earlier in February 2019.

Under the scheme, a loan amounting to Rs 1 lakh for new entrepreneurs and Rs 2 lakh for the existing entrepreneurs was given to over 600 beneficiaries.

But the state government observed some difficulties in implementing the scheme redesigned the scheme and launched it again.

Prafulla Kaman is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dhemaji. He can be reached at: pkradio16@gmail.com