# Assam raises Orunodoi assistance to Rs 1,500 for October 2026-09-25T09:31:28+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Assam government has raised the monthly assistance under the Orunodoi scheme to Rs 1,500 for October, in time for Durga Puja. The cabinet also approved October 17, 2026, as an additional holiday for the festival, bringing the total number of notified Puja holidays to five. The hike is a one-time increase for the month. Beneficiaries will receive the enhanced amount along with their regular instalment. The scheme, which provides cash transfers to women from poor households, was launched in 2020 and has been expanded multiple times. ## Indian Opinion Analysis One-time festival-linked top-ups to welfare transfers are a well-established pattern in Assam and other states, usually announced in cabinet meetings ahead of major holidays. The Orunodoi scheme, launched by the state government in 2020, originally provided Rs 830 per month to women from low-income families and has been revised upward several times. The additional holiday notification, set for 2026, is unusual for being declared so far in advance and suggests a broader administrative calendar decision rather than an ad hoc announcement. The total outlay for this month's hike and the number of beneficiaries have not been disclosed. ## Coverage - ndtv.com Tags: Assam, Durga Puja, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Orunodoi scheme Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/assam-raises-orunodoi-assistance-to-rs-1500-for-october/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/assam-raises-orunodoi-assistance-to-rs-1500-for-october/#story-in-brief