CHAPTER -XX
Welfare Programmes-Social Sector

The State continued to implement various welfare programmes for social and economic development of the weaker sections of the society. The salient features of some of the major activities in this area are given below.

WELFARE OF TEA AND EX-TEA GARDEN TRIBES:

20.1.0 The Directorate for Welfare of Tea Garden and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes, Assam, established in the year, 1983 for the welfare of the Tea Tribes Community has been implementing various Schemes in the State as follows.

I. Family Oriented Income Generating Scheme (FOIGS):

The main objective of the scheme is to provide assistance in the form of Government Grants-in-aid to the Tea Tribes families living below the poverty line with a view to enable the families to enhance their annual income. Under this scheme a total of 7182 Nos. of Tea Tribes families have been assisted by utilizing an amount of Rs 281.00 lakh upto 31.3.2003.

2. Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship

Under this scheme, economic assistance is provided to poor Tea Tribes students who are pursuing Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Courses and encourage them to pursue their further studies. Under Pre-Matric scholarship altogether 1,18,664 Nos. of students were awarded scholarship utilising Rs 237.86 lakh and under Post-Matric Scholarship 1,779 Nos. of students were awarded scholarship with an amount of Rs 15.85 lakh upto 31.3.2003.

3. Grants for Non-Government Educational Institutions:

The objective of the scheme is to create educational environment amount Tea Tribes Students Educational Institutions by providing financial assistance to such Institutions for purchasing reaching instruments, books, furniture and major repairing as well as extension of the school building. An amount of Rs 40.45 lakh have been utilized for providing assistance to 670 Nos. of such Institutions upto 31.3.2003.

4. Grants for Cultural Activities including Education Tour:

Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the Cultural Organisations of Tea Garden and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes for development of their cultural heritage, which includes purchase of musical instruments, holding of cultural functions and exchange of cultural troops etc. An amount of Rs 7.9 lakh have been utilized for providing assistance to 261 Organisations upto 31.3.2003.

5. Grants for Non-Government Organisation:

The purpose of the Scheme is to assist the Non-Government Organisations such as Mahila Samittee, Association, Clubs, and Libraries of Tea Tribes Community, which are rendering services for all round development of the community. As amount of Rs 7.00 lakh has been spent for providing assistance to 2002 Nos. of Non-Government Organisations upto 31.3.2003.

6. Grants to Patients suffering from T.B. and other malignant diseases:

Under the scheme financial assistance is provided to poor Tea Tribes Community people suffering from various malignant diseases like Cancer, Tuberculoses etc. for their treatments. An amount of Rs 1.80 lakh has been spent for providing assistance to 184 Nos. of patients’ upto 31.3.2003.

7. Grants for Purchase of Text-Book and Uniform:

Under the scheme, financial assistances is provided to poor Tea Tribes students for purchase of their School uniform. An amount of Rs 3.40 lakh has been utilized to provide uniform to 2510 Nos. of students upto 31.3.2003.

WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES:

20.2.0 The Assam State Development Corporation for Scheduled castes Limited was set up in the year, 1975 for the purpose of Socio-Economic Development of Scheduled Castes people of Assam living below the poverty line through implementation of different Family Oriented Income Generating Schemes.

As per guidelines and directives of the government, the Corporation has been implementing different schemes for the economic development of Scheduled Castes families of the State. Some of the schemes implemented by the Corporation are narrated below.

I. Family Oriented Income Generating Scheme (FOIGS):

The Corporation has implemented the scheme with the amount received from the Government under Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Scheduled Castes Component Plan. Under this scheme the Corporation provides Tractor. Power Tiller in a group of beneficiaries consisting 50 and 12 persons respectively. Apart from this, the Corporation also provides Sewing Machine, Cycle with Fish Drum, Fishing Kits etc. to individual beneficiaries as grants. Table – 20.1 shows the achievements under this Scheme in the State during 2001-2002 and 2002-2003.

TABLE – 20.1
FAMILY ORIENTED INCOME GENERATING SCHEME (FOIGS)

During the year 2003-2004 the Corporation proposes to cover 15412 Nos. of beneficiaries with an estimated amount of Rs 1411.23 lakh of Special Central Assistance under the Scheme.

2. Infrastructural Development Programme (IDP):

As per guideline of the Government of India, the Corporation has been implementing the scheme since 1994-95 for development of Scheduled Castes dominated areas of the State by providing grants-in-aid out of Special Central Assistance from the Government for construction of Schemes /Colleges, construction/ repairing of Community Hall, Clubs, Cultural Centres, Village link Roads etc. The achievement and utilization of fund for the year 2001-2002 were 50 Nos. unit and Rs 22.15 lakh respectively. During the year 2002-2003, the Government has not provided any fund under the Scheme.

3. National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers and their dependents (NSLRS):

The Corporation has been implementing the scheme for training and rehabilitation of Scavengers/ Safai Karmacharis undr NSLRS Sanitary Mart Programmes since 2001-2002.

During 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 the Corporation had trained up a total of 2750 Nos. of Scavengers with financial involvement of Rs 56.58 lakh and rehabilitated 425 Nos. of beneficiaries against 17 Nos. Sanitary Mari with financial involvement of Rs 85.00 lakh Central Assistance and Rs 29.75 lakh of NSKFDC loan assistance.

4. NSKFDC Loan Programme:

The Corporation has been implementing NSKFDC loan programme by providing 90 percent term loan and 10 per cent promoter’s contribution for the Scavengers under different trades such as AR Photo Copter, T.V./ Radio repairing, Stationery Shop, welding unit, Carpentry etc. The Corporation during 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 has disbursed Rs 123.38 lakh as Term loan covering 164 number of beneficiaries. The Corporation has received allocation of Rs 60.50 lakh for the year 2003-2004 under this scheme.

5. National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation Scheme (NSFDCS):

Since 1993-94 the Corporation has been implementing the scheme for the economic upliftment of unemployed educated Scheduled Castes youth of the State who are below double the poverty line whose annual income does not exceed Rs 39,308/- in rural areas, and Rs 54,490/- in urban areas. The Corporation under this scheme used to provide loan for Mini Bus, Mini Truck, Maruti Van, Power Tiller, Tata Sumo, Photo Copier, Restaurant, Pharmacy, Readymade Garments etc. The Corporation received Rs 446.43 lakh of NSFDC fund during 2001-2002 and utilised Rs 420.51 lakh till 31^st July 2003 against 223 Nos. of Beneficiaries. The Corporation has received allocation of Rs 1815 lakh of NSFDC Term loan for the year 2003-2004 and proposed to assist 2354 Nos. of Scheduled Caste during the year.

As a part of the NSFDC regular scheme, the Corporation has been implementing the NSFDC Micro Credit Finance Scheme as per directives of NSFDC from 2001-2002. During 2001-2002 the Corporation received Rs 191.62 lakh under the scheme and utilized the amount against 1928 Nos. of Beneficiaries @Rs 10,000/- per Beneficiaries as 100 per cent NSFDC loan.

The Corporation has received allocation of Rs 349.00 lakh against MCF Scheme of NSFDC loan fund for the year 2003-2004 and propose to help 2885 Nos. scheduled Caste.

WELFARE OF PLAIN TRIBES:

20.3.0 The Assam Tribal Development Authority was set up in November 1983, as per provisions of the "Assam Tribal Development Authority Act, 1983". The jurisdiction of the Authority is over the Plains Tribal Areas of the State of Assam excepting the two Hills Districts of the State, North Cachar Hills and Karbi-Anglong.

The main sources of funding the Authority are Special Central Assistance (SCA), Central Sectoral Assistance and State Sector Assistance. The Authority is also authorized as per provision of the Act, to raise loans within the terms and conditions of the standing financial norms and policies of the State Government. Despite fund constrains, the ATDA has been implementing some Welfare Schemes as follows for all round development of the Tribal people.

I. Family Oriented Income Generating Scheme (FOIGS):

This Scheme is being implemented by the Assam Tribal Development Authority as an anti-poverty measure for the upliftment of the Socio-Economic condition of tribal people as well as to generate self-employment opportunities for tribal families, living below poverty line. The scheme implemented under FOIGS includes Auto-Rickshaw, Fishery, Piggery, Poultry, Goatery, Handloom, Sericulture, Weaving etc.

The Table 20.2 reflects the number of tribal families who are benefited under FOIGS in different years.

TABLE – 20.2
PHYSICAL ACHIEVEMENT UNDER FOIGS

2. Infrastructure Development Scheme (IDS):

The ATDA has been implementing the Infrastructure Development Scheme from its inception. The Scheme covers renovation/ repairing of Educational Institution, construction of Roads/ Bridges, construction of Community Centre etc. The achievements under the scheme are shown below.

(a) Renovation/ Repairing of Educational Institutions:

Under IDS, several educational schools/ Institutions have been provided financial assistance for renovation, repairing etc. Thus rural tribal students have been availing such facilities for improving their educational and extra-curricular activities.

The Table 20.3 shows the year wise achievement in renovation/ repairing of schools during the last seven years with financial assistance from ATDA.

TABLE – 20.3
ACHIEVEMENT IN RENOVATION/ REPAIRING OF SCHOOLS BY ATDA

(b) Construction of Roads:

The communication system in the rural tribal areas is still far from satisfactory. Therefore, to improve the communication system, ATDA has taken up construction works of link-roads, link-bridges, culverts etc. under the scheme. The year-wise achievement since 1996-97 is given in the Table – 20.4.

TABLE – 20.4
ACHIEVEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS ETC BY ATDA

(c) Construction of Community Centre:

With a view to promote Art and Culture among different communities, the Assam Tribal Development Authority has been granting financial assistance for construction of Community Centres in Tribal Areas of various Districts of the State.

So far, an amount of Rs 111.51 lakh has been released for construction of 24 Nos. Community Centres, out of which construction of 11 Nos. of Community Centres have been completed and Rs 200.00 lakh has been proposed to complete the remaining 13 Nos. of Community Centres during the year 2003-2004.

(d) Drinking Water Facilities:

In most of the rural areas drinking water facilities is not sufficient. Therefore, ATDA has been providing financial assistance for installation of ring-wells and tube-wells etc. The Table – 20.5 shows the achievement in providing drinking water facilities in rural areas.

TABLE – 20.5
DRINKING WATER FACILITIES PROVIDED BY ATDA

(e) Youth Welfare and Cultural Activities:

In order to assist the Organisations doing welfare works amongst the tribal people, financial assistance have been given by ATDA for construction of Clubs, houses etc. for enhancing their Socio-Economic and Socio-Cultural activities. The year-wise achievement of the same is shown in Table – 20.6.

TABLE – 20.6
NOS. OF ORGANISATIONS ASSISTED BY ATDA

3. Vocational Training Institute (VTI) Scheme:

The ATDA has been implementing another Scheme under the Central Sector i.e. the Vocational Training Institute (VTI) Scheme Under the scheme 100 per cent Central Assistance is given to the State for setting up and running Vocational Training Institute within T.S.P. areas. At present 26 Nos. of VTI have been set up in different Districts with financial implication of Rs 276.00 lakh.

WELFARE OF MINORITIES:

20.4.0 The State Government has been taking various measures to improve the Socio-Economic condition as well as welfare of Minorities people living in the State. At present the following Government/ Semi-Government Organization is looking after the development of Minorities.

1. Directorate of Char Areas Development, Assam:

The riverine areas of the mighty river Brahmaputra formed either in heart of on its Bank are inhabited by large group of people specially Minorities people and suitable for cultivation. These areas are known as "Char Areas" of Assam. As per Socio-Economic Survey, 2002-2003 conducted in these Areas, there are 2251 Nos. of Char Villages from Sadiya to Dhubri under 60 Nos. of Community Development Blocks of 23 Civil-Sub-divisions within 14 Nos. of District comprising 3.60 lakh hectare of land and 24.90 lakh population. Out of the total population, 19.31 per cent are literate and 67.88 per cent people in average are living below poverty line.

In other to implement Developmental Schemes in these areas, the State Government had set up the Assam State Char Areas Development Authority in the year 1984. Subsequently, the Authority was converted to full fledged Directorate in 1996 in the name of "Directorate of Char Areas Development, Assam."

The main function of the Directorate is to implement Development schemes as mentioned below–

1. Education:

(a) Nursing Training to educate girls.

(b) Computer Training for educated Youth.

(c) Distribution of Sports Goods/ Books to youth Clubs/ Library/ Schools etc.

(d) Providing Grants for improvement of School Building.

2. Agriculture:

(a) Supply of Power Tillers to small and marginal farmers and their maintenance.

(b) Distribution of seeds for High Yielding Variety (HYV) Crops such as wheat, Jute Mustard etc. to small and marginal farmers living in Char Areas of Assam.

(c) Supply of Shallows Tube-Well for irrigation purposes.

(d) Supply of improved Coconut Seedling, Rabi and Kharif Vegetable Seeds to small and marginal farmers.

(e) Construction of Bundh for providing irrigation facilities.

2. Veterinary and Dairy:

(a) Supply of Milch Cows, Buffalos, Sheep to individual and Co-operative Societies.

(b) Construction of Raised Earthern Platform for giving shelter to Cattle and Human in Flood Season.

3. Drinking Water Facilities.

Supply of Hand Tube Well to provide protected and germ free drinking water facilities to Char areas people.

4. Industry:

(a) Supply of Sewing Machine/ Hand-Looms to trained individual unemployed Female/ Male and Registered Mahila Samity.

(b) Providing training to unemployed educated Female on various subjects such as Cutting, Knitting, Embroidery under Self Employment Scheme.

20.4.1 ASSAM MINORITIES DEVELOPMENT BOARD:

In the year 2002-2003 the Assam Minorities Development Board was allocated a sum of Rs 50 lakh and out of this an amount of Rs 35 lakh was released and the fund was utilized for the schemes mentioned below.

ASSAM MINORITIES DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE CORPROTION LTD. (AMDFC):

20.4.2 The Assam Minorities Development and Finance Corporation Ltd. Was constituted in 1997 with a view to extend financial assistance to the beneficiaries belonging to the Minority Communities of Assam.

The performance of the Corporation in the State during the years from 1999-2000 to 2001-2002 may be observed from the information furnished at Table – 20.8.

TABLE – 20.8
AMOUNT RECEIVED AND DISBURSED BY AMDFC

SOCIAL WELFARE:

20.5.0 The Social Welfare Department is functioning since 1960 and implementing the various schemes with the objectives to cater the need of the weaker section of the society which includes disabled persons, women belonging to poor section, destitute children and women, juvenile delinquent and neglected people in the society etc. With the above objectives in view the Social Welfare Department is implementing about 25 Nos. of Schemes.

The activities being undertaken in respect of some important schemes are furnished below.

(I) Welfare of Handicapped:

The problem of physically disabled are acure than the normal persons and number of such population in the Sttae is not meagre and they require to be looked into on humanitarian consideration. The Department of Social Welfare is endeavouring to offer scholarship to the disabled students, rehabilitation grants to the disabled persons and provided school facilities to the disabled persons like. Deaf and Dumb School at Guwahati, Blind School, Jorhat, School for Hearing Impaired, Jorhat. Besides above, there is one centrally sponsored scheme i.e National Programme for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (NPRPD) run by this Department since 2001-2002. At present the scheme is confined to Kamrup, Goalpara, Dibrugarh and Cahcar District. A sum of Rs 85.00 lakh has been proposed for the year 2003-2004 for implementation of the scheme.

(II) Child Welfare:

A number of programmes for the development of child have been undertaken by the Department, some of the programmes are common to women and children. The following Institutions look after the minor children besides the family and child welfare projects.

(a) Home for orphan and destitute children at Nagaon.

(b) Bal Bhawan, Guwahati and Dibrugarh and Balwadis programme, family and children welfare projects.

(c) Home for destitute and vagrant children North Lakhimpur.

Further, the Juvenile Justice. Act was passed in 1986 and same has been implemented in the State since 1987. However, the present Act has been repealed and a new Act viz. Care and protection of children Act, 2000 is in force and under this Act the Juveniles are kept in Juvenile Home for prevention and treatment of Juvenile delinquency as well as neglected children.

(III) Women Welfare:

A number of Institutions are maintained for the welfare of women in the State. The Vocational Training cum Production Centres are established to create self employment avenues for the rural women who cold not otherwise get education. They are given vocational training in crafts according to their skill and aptitude. There are also homes for destitute and helpless widows. The Women "Commission in the State is also funded by the Department.

(IV) Nutrition Programme:

The Social Welfare Department has been implementing the nutrition programme under the PMGY Scheme which is a 100 per cent centrally sponsored scheme. Under this scheme the children from the age group of 0-6 years and the pregnant and nursing mothers are provided supplementary nutrition for improvement of their health and other condition. An amount of Rs 9500.00 lakh has been proposed under this scheme for the year 2003-2004.

(IV) Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) Scheme:

The ICDS scheme was started in the year 1975-76 the objectives of the schemes are to –

(a) Improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group of 0-6 years.

(b) Lay the foundation for proper psychological,, physical and social development of the children.

(c) Reduce the incidence of mortality and school drop out.

(d) Achieve effectively the policy and implementation among the various Departments to promote child development.

(e) Enhance the capacity of mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.

To achieve the above objectives, at present 195 ICDS projects and more than 25336 Anganwadi Centres are functioning in the State. In order to deal with the above objectives the following packages of services has been formulated under ICDS scheme:

(1) Supplementary nutrition,

(2) Immunization.

(3) Health checkup.

(4) Referral services.

(5) Nutrition and health education.

(6) Non-formal education.

(VI) Old Age Pension:

The Government through Department of Social Welfare is paying old age pension at the rate of Rs 100/- per month since 1983. The target for the year 2002-2003 was at 43,500 Nos. persons throughout the State.

HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE:

20.6.0 In the health sector, the State has continued to strengthen the curative health services while at the same time ensuring the expansion of basic health care facilities so that the people living in the remote and inaccessible areas get proper health care. The State Government has taken a number of steps to improve the quality of health facilities in the State.

20.6.1 The Family Welfare Programme of the State Government aims at promoting responsible parenthood with a two children family norm and the programme in Assam was started in 1956. The Family Welfare Services in Assam are offered through the existing network of Primary Health Centres (146), Sub-Centres (5563), Community Health Centres (100), Civil Hospital (22) and other Health Centres of both Government and Non-Government Organisations.

Since 1997-98 the Government of Assam has launched a project Under Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme in order to improve the maternal health and childcare eventually to contribute stabilisation of population growth. To increase the number of Hospital delivery the Government has introduced 24 hours delivery scheme in block PHCs and CHCs in some of the selected districts in the State. To improve the services of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA), the Government of India under RCH programme introduced a scheme viz. "Training of Dhais" in the State.

The Government throughout the State during the year 2002-2003. Some of the achievements of Family Welfare Programme and Health facilities under State Government are given in Appendix.

EDUCATION:

(1) Sarva Siksha Abhijan:

20.7.0 In the field of Education, the primary objective of State Government is the universalization of Primary Education and Qualitative improvement of Higher Education. The Sarva Siksha Abhijan (SSA) is under implementation in Non-DPEP Districts and it has emerged as a primary instrument for attainment of the goal of universalisation of Primary Education. The main objectives of the SSA are as follows –

(i) All children in School, Education Guarantee Centre, Alternate School, ‘Back to School’, Camp by 2003.

(ii) All children complete five years of Primary Schooling by 2007.

(iii) All children complete eight years elementary schooling by 2010.

(iv) Focus on elementary education of satisfactory quality with emphasis on education for life.

(v) Bridge all gender and social category gaps at Primary stage by 2007 and at elementary education level by 2010.

(vi) Universal retention by 2010.

With these aim in view, it is proposed to ensure Zero Dropouts by 2010. During August 2002, almost 31,000 school children in the age-group of 6-7 years were enrolled in the short term bridge courses.

The State Government has also undertaken various schemes such as provision of free textbooks to all children in class I to VII of Government Provincialised and Recognized Lower Primary and Composite Schools. Almost 35 lakh children have been covered under this scheme. Moreover, a Mid-day Meal programme is being implemented to all children of Class I to IV and about 30 lakh children are expected to benefit from this programme.

(2) Elementary Education:

20.7.1 The Primary function of the Elementary Education Sector falls under National Policy of Education (1986) and Programme of Action, 1992 (revised) thereof. The objectives of the Policy are to make provision for a Primary School within the walkable distance to the children, enrol all children of 6 years age, retain them in the school till completion of the elementary schooling and to provide quality education of comparable Standards.

The major achievement of Elementary Education under Ninth five-year Plan (1997-2002) were.

(i) Conversion of State Plan liabilities to Non-Plan for 19395 posts of Teachers out of total 46310 posts w.e.f. 1.4.98.

(ii) Conversion of 100% Central salary liabilities of 7656 posts of Teachers created under Operation Black Board (OBB) scheme to non-Plan directly w.e.f. 1.4.98.

(iii) Implementation of PMGY Scheme for infrastructural development of elementary school education with financial involvement of Rs 3211.76 lakh.

The Government has also taken up the following infrastructural development works under PMGY scheme during the Annual Plan 2002-03 and 2003-04.

(1) Construction of 2331 Nos. of School Building.

(2) Construction of 19 Nos. of Office Building of District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO).

(3) Construction of 12 Nos. of Basic Training Colleges (BTC).

(4) Construction of 5 Nos. Normal Schools.

(6) Assistance to supply of free Text Books.

(7) Sanitation and drinking water facilities to 2662 Primary Schools.

(3) Secondary and higher Secondary Education:

20.7.2 Secondary stage of Education covers the classes from Class VIII to X of the students belonging to age group 14-16 years and the Higher Secondary stage covers classes XI-XII of the students belonging to age group 17-18 years, However, Composite Secondary schools are imparting education from Class V onwards. The Government of India has launched a scheme viz. "Improvement of science education" with 100 per cent Central Assistance and already released 1394.59 lakh for implementation of the scheme. Under this scheme each High and Higher Secondary School will be benefited with Scientific Equipments, Library books and Furniture etc. The Government has already released Rs 494.50 lakh out of total cost of Rs 989.00 lakh of the Project and necessary construction works have been started in 23 Districts of the State.

(4) Higher education:

20.7.3 At present, there are five Universities and one institution of National Importance i.e. IIT in the State. As per provisional estimates there are altogether 424 Institutions for Higher Education serving by 12743 Nos. of Teachers in the State during 2001-2002. The Institutions include 6 Government Colleges (2 in Hills Districts), 190 Deficit Colleges (1 in Hill District), 34 Adhoc Colleges (4 in Hills Districts), 36 Affiliated Colleges (3 in Hills Districts), 8 Aided Law Colleges (1 in Hills District), 80 Sanskrit Tols (Deficit), 16 Sanskrit Tols (Adhoc), and I Sanskrit College. In Higher Education Steps have been taken up by the Gauhati and the Dibrugarh Universities to introduce courses on Information Technology and other job related courses to ensure better prospects for self-employment.

(5) Technical Education:

20.7.4 Beginning with only one Diploma Institute at Chandmari, Guwahati in 1948, Assam has now one NIT, one IIT, two Engineering Colleges, nine Polytechnics, two Junior Technical Schools and few it is in the field of Technical Education.

(a) Engineering College:

There are two Government Engineering Colleges in Assam viz. Assam Engineering College, Guwahati and Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat. The Assam Engineering College was established in 1955 and the Jorhat Engineering College was established in 1960, which are recognized by the All India Council of Technical Education. The current Courses with intake capacity in Engineering Colleges as on 2003-04 are shown below.

(b) Polytechnics:

There are nine Polytechnics in the State of Assam. The Polytechnics provide facilities for study in Diploma and Certificate Courses in Engineering and Technology. The different courses available at the Polytechnics are job-oriented as well as oriented for self-employment. All the courses conducted in the Polytechnics are recognized by the Government of India and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

There are altogether 16 Nos. of Diploma and Post Diploma Courses with Intake capacity of 1195 and 15 respectively and I Certificate Course in Textile Technology with intake capacity 30 as on 2003.

(6) Adult Education:

20.7.5 The Adult Education Programme in Assam was launched in the year 1978-79 for providing functional literacy to illiterate Adults of the age-group 15-35 years. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) came into being in the year. 1988 with Strategies of providing functional literacy through Total Literacy Campaign (TLC). The State of Assam has also started implementation of TLC from the year 1992 and at present 22 Districts have been covered under the scheme. Only Morigaon District has not been covered completely under TLC. However, action has been taken to cover Morigaon District under the ambient of TLC from 2003-2004.

The Tenth Five Year Plan target is to cover 36 lakh illiterate Adults of the age group 15.35 years. The target is proposed to be covered through the existing TLC as well as Post Literacy Campaign Programmes (PLC) and also with the help on N.G.Os working in the field of Adult Education in the State.

Meanwhile, six Districts viz. Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, and Karimganj have completed the PLC successfully.