Junu Boro, a resident of Boko in the Kamrup district of Assam, finds herself in a paradoxical situation – while her photograph adorns the cover image of an advertisement promoting the Orunodoi scheme by the Assam government, she is yet to get any benefits herself!
Hailing from a financially backward family, Junu applied for the Orunodoi scheme thrice, yet allegedly she hasn’t received approval from the authorities. Now, upon discovering her photo in the government advertisement, Junu expressed her dismay, highlighting the disparity between the promotional image and her reality.
“We are from a disadvantaged background and are entitled to government financial assistance. However, despite our repeated applications, we have not received any support. Seeing my photo on the cover of the Orunodoi advertisement was shocking,” Junu lamented.
Junu, who sells vegetables in weekly markets in nearby areas, speculates that photographers in the markets may have taken her picture, leading to its inclusion in the advertisement.
Junu’s face is featured alongside other women in promotional booklets for the Orunodoi scheme, which was launched by the Assam government in 2020. The scheme aims to provide monetary benefits to poor households in the state, with women being the primary beneficiaries, receiving Rs 1,000 per month to assist with their family’s upkeep.
