Guwahati, July 15 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said direct benefit transfer (DBT) programmes have emerged as the state's most effective tool for reducing poverty, adding that the government is now targeting a single-digit multidimensional poverty rate.

Replying to the discussion on the state Budget in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Sarma said Assam's multidimensional poverty rate has declined from 32.67 per cent in 2015 to 14.47 per cent. He attributed much of this improvement to the expansion of direct cash transfers to eligible beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister said DBT has enabled the government to reach people directly, making it a more effective poverty alleviation strategy than relying solely on long-t...