GUWAHATI, Sept 26 - With only six to seven months remaining for the next Assembly polls, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today announced a package of over Rs 850 crore for the people of the State which will be distributed before the elections.
Speaking to reporters here today, Gogoi said that the package will benefit over 76 lakh people across the State and it will be funded exclusively by the State Government.
�Distribution will start from November this year,� he said. He added that the package would cover the existing State Government schemes, where the number of beneficiaries would be increased, besides the introduction of a few new schemes.
Poor families which have not been able to get houses under the Indira Awas Yojana will be given Rs 25,000 in cash. Besides, assistance will also be provided in the form of blankets, yarn, tractors, power tillers, etc., depending on the beneficiaries.
The package will focus on diverse sections, including unemployed youths, women, students and others.
�It will be in the form of cash as well as kind,� Gogoi said.
Refuting the BJP�s allegations that the State Government has diverted funds meant for developmental schemes for other purposes, the Chief Minister said, �In this fiscal, we have received Rs 4,354 crore so far. Out of that, a sum of Rs 3,985 crore has been released to various departments.�
