Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 1 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided financial assistance to students under CM's Foreign Language Initiative for Global Human Talent (CM-FLIGHT) and CM's Jibon Prerana Scheme at a programme held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati on Tuesday.
At the same programme, the Chief Minister ceremonially released the fourth phase of interim flood assistance of Rs. 15,000 per household through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 16,746 flood-affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat districts.
A total of Rs. 25.12 crore was transferred to the beneficiaries today, the CM said in the release.
With the release of the fourth instalment, the State Government has so far transferred a cumulative Rs. 175.64 crore in interim flood assistance, benefiting 1,17,095 households across the affected districts, as per the release.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Government of Assam is committed to creating a skilled, globally competitive and employment-ready workforce by opening up new avenues of opportunity for the youth.
Under CM-FLIGHT, which seeks to equip young people with foreign language proficiency to enhance their prospects for high-income overseas employment, the Chief Minister presented cheques as part of financial assistance to institutions including ASEAN Assam Academy, MIRAI Japanese Learning Centre and Jacex Ventures LLP.
"Under the scheme, every student undergoing the prescribed training is entitled to Rs. 1 lakh as financial assistance. Upon successful completion of training and placement, students are also provided Rs. 50,000 as post-placement assistance," he added.
Sarma said that the world is increasingly becoming a common workplace, with several countries facing demographic and workforce challenges. "This has created significant opportunities for skilled young people from Assam," the Chief Minister said.
Calling upon the youth to make the best use of these emerging opportunities, the Chief Minister called upon the youth to acquire skills that would enhance employability and enable them to work in countries such as Japan and Singapore and elsewhere.
"Initiatives such as CM-FLIGHT and Chief Minister's Jibon Prerana Scheme have been designed to create world-class human resources and provide Assam's youth with greater access to opportunities both within India and abroad," he said.
Under the Chief Minister's Jibon Prerana Scheme, which resumes for fresh graduates, Sarma provided financial support to the graduates to help them transition from education to employment.
On the occasion, he released assistance to 47,505 Aadhaar-linked beneficiaries. Each eligible graduate is entitled to Rs. 2,500 per month for 12 months under the scheme. As the release of assistance for the current financial year was delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct during the Assam Legislative Assembly elections, the Chief Minister said that the Government has decided to release the assistance for the period from April to July 2026.
"Around 1,000 additional beneficiaries whose Aadhaar-related issues are currently being resolved will also receive assistance under the scheme upon completion of the necessary formalities," he said.
The Chief Minister said that the scheme had provided financial assistance to 48,366 fresh graduates in 2025, helping them prepare for competitive examinations, pursue entrepreneurial ventures and move towards self-reliance.
He said that while assistance under the scheme for 2025-26 was provided up to March 2026, its implementation for 2026-27 had been temporarily affected by the Model Code of Conduct. The Government has now resumed the scheme on the auspicious day of Mahapurush Sri Sri Madhabdev Tithi.
Speaking on the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals overseas, Sarma announced that the Government of Assam will initially select five GNM institutes to provide nurses with training in English and Japanese languages, alongside their core professional competencies.
He said the initiative would help young nursing professionals from Assam access international employment opportunities and strengthen their preparedness for overseas careers.
The Chief Minister added that the State Government has several other initiatives in the pipeline for the development, skilling and empowerment of Assam's youth, which would be implemented subsequently.
Appealing to the youth to remain patient and develop faith, perseverance and determination, Sarma said that these qualities would enable them to overcome challenges and succeed in life.
Speaking on the flood assistance, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the flood-affected people of Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat for their resilience during the difficult period. He said that apart from direct financial assistance, the State Government had taken several measures to support affected families, including assistance relating to bank moratoriums and settlement of insurance claims.
As part of post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation, the Government has also undertaken extensive restoration of Anganwadi Centres, Namghars and schools, among other public infrastructure. Around Rs. 330 crore has been spent on flood reconstruction and related works, Sarma added.
The Chief Minister moreover said that the State Government has established a new benchmark in flood relief, rehabilitation and post-flood reconstruction in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts.
He added that the same approach and benchmark would be adopted while extending assistance to flood-affected areas of Gohpur and other parts of the State.
Paying his tributes to Mahapurush Sri Sri Madhabdev on his death anniversary, the Chief Minister said that he was happy that the occasion has provided an opportunity to give fresh momentum to key welfare initiatives such as CM-FLIGHT, Chief Minister's Jibon Prerana Scheme and DBT-based flood assistance.
Earlier, Minister for Skill Development etc., Biswajit Daimary and Minister for Revenue etc. Keshab Mahanta also addressed the gathering. Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, LS Changsan, senior government officials and students were also present at the programme. (ANI)
Assam CM launches support for youth, flood-affected families; financial assistance extended under CM-FLIGHT, Jibon Prerana schemes
