Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Wednesday said Orunodoi Sarothis will play an important role in strengthening the last mile delivery of Orunodoi by acting as a bridge between the Government and beneficiaries and helping citizens resolve genuine scheme related difficulties in a timely manner.
Addressing the Capacity Building Programme for Orunodoi Sarothis at the Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara, the Finance Minister said that Orunodoi has emerged as a significant instrument of women’s empowerment and social security in Assam, providing regular financial assistance directly to women of beneficiary families.
He said that as the scale of Orunodoi has expanded, ensuring effective last mile support to beneficiaries has become equally important. The institution of Orunodoi Sarothis has therefore been envisaged to provide beneficiaries with an accessible Government facilitation point at the Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) level.
Under the Standard Operating Procedure, one Orunodoi Sarothi will be engaged for each LAC from the existing district pool of regular Government employees, preferably Grade III employees. The District Commissioner will nominate the Sarothi and determine the Government office from which the Sarothi will function, keeping in view accessibility and convenience of beneficiaries.
“Each of you will serve as a bridge between the Government and the ordinary citizen. You must work as a true Sarothi for the people, particularly for poor and vulnerable beneficiaries, and ensure that they are treated with patience, courtesy and sensitivity,” the Finance Minister said.
The Minister clarified that the primary responsibility of an Orunodoi Sarothi is facilitation and grievance support.
Sarothis will assist beneficiaries with Aadhaar seeding, bank account KYC, Aadhaar-based payment readiness and correction or updation of beneficiary details through the prescribed mechanism. They will also coordinate with Government offices, banks and other concerned authorities to facilitate timely resolution of genuine beneficiary issues.
The Minister particularly urged the Sarothis to extend sensitive assistance to persons with disabilities, widows and other vulnerable beneficiaries who may face difficulties relating to Aadhaar, bank accounts, KYC or beneficiary data.
He, however, emphasised that Orunodoi Sarothis have no authority to approve, reject or recommend the selection of beneficiaries. Verification, approval and sanction will continue to be undertaken only by the competent authorities in accordance with the Orunodoi Guidelines issued by the Finance Department.
Applications or requests for inclusion of new beneficiaries will also not be entertained by Sarothis unless specifically directed by the Finance Department.
Highlighting the growing reach of Orunodoi, the Finance Minister said that the monthly assistance under the scheme has increased from Rs 830 to Rs 1,250, while its coverage has expanded to nearly 40 lakh beneficiaries. He said that the Government’s focus remains on ensuring that assistance reaches eligible and deserving families efficiently and transparently.
The Finance Minister also underlined the importance of digital systems in strengthening monitoring and grievance resolution.
Orunodoi Sarothis will discharge their responsibilities through the Digital Infrastructure of DBT Scheme (DIDS) or such other digital platforms as may be prescribed by the Finance Department. Necessary user access and training will be provided to enable them to perform their responsibilities effectively.
Emphasising integrity in implementation, Minister Baruah said there must be zero tolerance for corruption at every level. He categorically stated that no Sarothi shall collect any fee or consideration from beneficiaries for providing services under Orunodoi.
The Finance Minister also encouraged the Sarothis to provide regular grassroots feedback on recurring beneficiary issues and implementation challenges, enabling the Government to continuously improve systems and undertake necessary reforms.
The functioning of Orunodoi Sarothis will be under the overall supervision of the respective District Commissioners, with designated Nodal Officers responsible for day-to-day supervision and coordination. Sarothis will submit monthly reports in the prescribed format, while the Finance Department will monitor their functioning through DIDS, digital dashboards and other prescribed mechanisms.
Each Orunodoi Sarothi will receive an additional remuneration of ₹5,000 per month, in accordance with the Cabinet approval dated July 25, 2026, subject to certification of satisfactory discharge of assigned duties.
The day-long capacity building programme is aimed at familiarising Orunodoi Sarothis with the SOP, their defined roles and responsibilities, digital workflows, grievance-handling mechanisms, reporting requirements and coordination with banks, district administration and the Finance Department.
The Finance Minister expressed confidence that with a dedicated facilitation mechanism at the LAC level, Orunodoi Sarothis will help make the scheme more accessible, responsive and citizen-centric, while ensuring transparency, accountability and effective last-mile delivery to beneficiaries across Assam.
