In an effort to strengthen the state government's welfare outreach in the lead-up to elections, the chief minister of Assam on Wednesday pledged free distribution of sugar, daal (pulses), and salt to ration card holders if the BJP is elected to power for a third consecutive term.
The chief minister announced during an official rally in Dhemaji that ration card holders will receive a kilogram of daal, sugar, and salt for ₹100 starting in January.
"Help the BJP-led government win in the upcoming elections," he continued. You won't have to pay to have daal, sugar, and salt delivered to your house.
Sarma's declaration precedes the Assembly elections, which are anticipated to take place in March or April. Since 2016, the government has been dominated by the BJP.
The action is expected to help 70 lakh families in the state who have ration cards. The BJP-led government's benefit programs were then enumerated by Sarma.
"Observe the level of responsibility we are assuming. In an effort to demonstrate how the government was attending to the dietary, educational, entrepreneurial, and medical requirements of the general public, Sarma stated, "You voted for us and we have reduced your worries (through welfare schemes)."
The state administration has given social programs for women particular attention. Since mid-September, Sarma has conducted rallies nearly every day and distributed funds as part of the Lakhpati Didi initiative.
According to BJP insiders, the beneficiary programs are building a "loyal votebank" for the party, which the opposition must take into account while running for office.
The Lakhpati Didi empowerment initiative provides a first installment of ₹10,000 per woman, while the Orunodoi anti-poverty scheme provides ₹1,250 per month to 38 lakh women.
Financial aid is also available for males whose families earn less than ₹4 lakh annually and who are pursuing college and post-graduation.
More than 3.5 lakh female students in classes XI and XII receive ₹1,000 per month; those participating in undergraduate courses and integrated teacher training programs receive ₹1,250 per month; and those doing postgraduate studies receive ₹2,500 per month.
Additionally, in February 2025, Sarma offered a pre-Bihu gift of ₹8,000 to Orunodoi beneficiaries and ₹5,000 to tea garden workers.
Families insured by the National Food Security Act additionally receive 5 kg of rice each month, while Ayushman Bharat's Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) offers health insurance worth ₹5 lakh per family annually.
