Subhadra Yojana: Odisha govt transfers Rs 5,106 cr to 1.02 cr women via DBT

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday disbursed more than Rs 5,100 crore to over one crore women beneficiaries under the state government’s flagship Subhadra Yojana. The disbursal coincided with International Women’s Day.

Majhi released the fourth instalment of the scheme at a special programme in Puri. Ministers of the state government joined the event virtually from different districts.

Under the instalment, Rs 5,000 was credited to the bank accounts of 1.02 crore women beneficiaries. The women have already received the same amount in the previous three instalments under the scheme.

Addressing the gathering, Majhi said the government has succeeded in empowering women in the state through the Subhadra Yojana. He said the scheme has contributed to social and economic empowerment and helped women become self-reliant.

He said the beneficiaries have created a distinct identity for themselves in society by becoming financially independent.

The chief minister said the empowerment of women through the scheme will support efforts to build a prosperous and Viksit Odisha.

According to Majhi, the state government has already transferred more than Rs 15,000 crore to beneficiaries under the scheme.

“Today, another Rs 5,106.33 crore has been disbursed to the bank accounts of 1.02 crore women beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT),” he said.

Responding to criticism of the scheme, Majhi said the financial assistance would contribute to economic activity in the state.

“Those who are criticising the scheme should know that this money will go to the market of the state … it will go to small traders, artists who are producing small items, and to the state’s economy as it will enhance the buying power in many households,” Majhi said.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the women beneficiaries of the Subhadra scheme will play a major role in building Viksit Odisha by 2036.

She said the distribution of more than Rs 20,000 crore under the scheme reflects the commitment of the government led by Majhi to the empowerment of women in the state.

The Subhadra Yojana was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar on September 17, 2024, on the occasion of his birthday.

Women aged between 21 and 60 years are eligible under the scheme. It provides financial assistance of Rs 50,000 over five years, from 2024-25 to 2028-29, with the aim of making beneficiaries financially independent and self-reliant.

Each beneficiary receives Rs 10,000 every year in two instalments of Rs 5,000 each. One instalment is released on International Women’s Day on March 8, and the other on Raksha bandhan.

(With inputs from agencies)