In Assam, the project “Rupaantar” (Transformation) has been able to create a social and economic transformation in the operational areas of Oil India Ltd. Particularly in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia district. The project is being jointly implemented by the Oil India Ltd and the State institute of Rural Development, Assam. 

The project is coined to eliminate poverty through income generating activities by social mobilization and capacity building among the rural people. During a short span of time of only nine years the project “Rupaantar” is now being considered as a milestone of rural development initiatives across the country.

AIR correspondent reports, In order to address the problem of growing unemployment and poverty the Oil India Ltd. has undertaken a long term project named “Rupaantar” which means Transformation. The idea of the project was to help the unemployed youth and women to find out alternate source of employment and income. 

To achieve this goal the Oil India Ltd. Has signed a memorandum of understanding with the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Assam in the year 2003. Under this project Self Help Groups (SHGs) are developed and SIRD is providing these groups necessary training and technical support where the OIL is supporting them in the form of revolving fund and margin money.

The focus of the project is on development of agro-based industries, diversification of handloom products, poultry farming, pig breeding, duck rearing, fishery, sericulture, organic farming etc.

Till date over 2(two) thousand Self Help groups are formed and a large number among them are getting financial support from various banks.

This joint project of OIL and SIRD has not only helped in enhancing the income level of the rural people but also built a good rapport between authorities and the beneficiaries.