GUWAHATI, July 10: The Assam government has proposed to bar individuals practicing polygamy from any entitlements under welfare schemes.
Tabling the state Budget for 2026-27 here on Friday, Assam finance minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said, “in order to promote women’s empowerment and gender justice, any male practicing polygamy shall not be eligible to avail benefits under any Government welfare scheme.”
The finance minister also proposed amending the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, in order to dismiss government servants practicing polygamy from service.
“Further, in keeping with our government’s unwavering commitment to women empowerment, gender justice and responsible family values, the government proposes to amend the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964 to provide that any government servant found to have practiced polygamy shall be liable for dismissal from service, in accordance with law,” he said.
The minister further proposed that any person convicted under criminal law would be barred from receiving any benefits under government welfare schemes.
“To promote integrity and responsible citizenship, I propose that any person convicted of an offence under any criminal law shall not be eligible to avail benefits under notified government welfare schemes,” Malla Baruah said.
The finance minister said that welfare shall not only reach the most deserved but also enforce inclusivity, integrity and moral ethos in the society.
‘Hence, we are pursuing a series of measures very systematically. All beneficiary-oriented schemes will be delivered through the unified digital beneficiary architecture under Digital Infrastructure for DBT Schemes (DIDS), including Aadhaar-based authentication,” he said.
“Since the regular budget was not available during the election process, we shall resume the basket of welfare schemes from August onwards,” the minister said.
“From August, disbursement under Orunodoi will resume. At the same time, our government will continue to strengthen the scheme through a transparent and continuous process of including deserving beneficiaries and excluding ineligible beneficiaries, so that the benefits reach the families who need them the most,” Malla Baruah said.
“We will continue to provide old age pension of Swahid Kushal Konwar Sarbajanin Briddha Pension Achoni and Widow Pension scheme through Orunodoi plus,” he said.
