In a major political development, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Borah recently announced the party’s intention to introduce a new welfare scheme, ‘Na Lakhimi,’ should the Congress come to power in the 2026 Assembly elections. Borah stated that this scheme would replace the current ‘Orunodoi’ scheme launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Assam government. The Congress leader highlighted that ‘Na Lakhimi’ would offer more substantial benefits and inclusivity, specifically targeting economically disadvantaged sections of society.
This announcement has set the stage for a major welfare policy debate in Assam as both parties vie for the support of the electorate. The comparison between the existing ‘Orunodoi’ scheme and the proposed ‘Na Lakhimi’ program is likely to be a focal point in the upcoming elections.
Orunodoi Scheme: The Current Welfare Model
The ‘Orunodoi’ scheme was launched in 2020 by the BJP-led Assam government under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Aimed at providing financial assistance to economically weaker sections, particularly women, the scheme offers a monthly cash transfer of ₹1,250 to nearly 20 lakh beneficiary families across the state. The primary objective of the Orunodoi scheme is to support women-headed households and help with essential monthly expenses, including nutrition, healthcare, and education.
While the scheme has been lauded by some for its direct benefit transfer model, the Congress party has criticized it for its limitations. According to Bhupen Borah, the Orunodoi scheme falls short of addressing the broader spectrum of financial challenges faced by lower-income families in Assam. This critique forms the basis for the Congress’s proposal of the ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme.
What is the ‘Na Lakhimi’ Scheme?
Bhupen Borah emphasized that the ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme would be designed to offer more comprehensive financial aid compared to ‘Orunodoi’. Though specific details of the scheme are yet to be fully disclosed, Borah hinted at several key features:
- Increased Financial Assistance: Unlike the current Orunodoi scheme, which offers ₹1,250 per month, ‘Na Lakhimi’ would provide more substantial financial aid to families. The exact amount has not been disclosed, but the Congress party promises it will be significantly higher.
- Expanded Beneficiary Criteria: The ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme aims to widen the eligibility criteria, making more families across Assam eligible for benefits. This will include marginalized communities and economically weaker households that might have been excluded from the Orunodoi scheme.
- Focus on Livelihoods and Women Empowerment: While ‘Orunodoi’ focuses on household financial support, the Congress’s ‘Na Lakhimi’ will reportedly emphasize livelihood opportunities, particularly for women, and offer assistance for self-employment and entrepreneurship ventures.
- Holistic Development: Bhupen Borah has promised that the new scheme will not only focus on direct financial transfers but also offer support for education, healthcare, and skill development, aiming for more holistic socio-economic growth.
The Congress party’s claim is that the ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme will provide a more equitable and sustainable welfare framework for Assam, one that addresses both immediate and long-term economic needs of underprivileged families.
Borah’s announcement of the ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme is widely seen as a strategic move by the Congress party to reclaim its political relevance in Assam. The BJP’s Orunodoi scheme has been one of the flagship programs of the current administration, and by proposing a replacement, the Congress is positioning itself as a credible alternative for welfare governance.
This announcement is expected to spark a policy debate around the efficacy of direct cash transfer schemes, with the Congress aiming to present its ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme as more inclusive and comprehensive than the BJP’s ‘Orunodoi’. It also reflects the Congress’s focus on gaining the support of rural and economically vulnerable voters, a significant demographic in Assam’s political landscape.
Despite the optimism expressed by Bhupen Borah, critics argue that replacing the Orunodoi scheme might create challenges, especially if it disrupts the flow of financial support that current beneficiaries rely on. The BJP has responded to Borah’s announcement by defending the Orunodoi scheme, claiming it has been instrumental in improving the financial stability of women-headed households in Assam.
Additionally, the financial feasibility of the ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme remains in question. Critics have raised concerns about whether the Congress would be able to deliver on its promise of increased financial assistance without straining the state’s budget.
Welfare programs have traditionally been a crucial part of Assam’s political discourse. With a major portion of the population belonging to economically weaker sections, welfare schemes like Orunodoi and the proposed ‘Na Lakhimi’ play a key role in determining voter sentiment.
The 2026 elections are likely to witness a clash between two contrasting welfare approaches. The BJP will champion its existing schemes, including Orunodoi, while Congress will attempt to persuade voters with the promise of enhanced welfare benefits through ‘Na Lakhimi’. For voters, especially those from rural areas and lower-income groups, the choice between continuity and change will be crucial.
As the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approach, Bhupen Borah’s announcement of the ‘Na Lakhimi’ scheme has added a new dimension to the political battle in the state. The Congress party’s pledge to replace the Orunodoi scheme with a more expansive and inclusive welfare program reflects its broader strategy to appeal to economically vulnerable voters.
