Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched the Subhadra Yojana, a major welfare scheme aimed at empowering women in Odisha. The scheme, designed by the state government, will provide financial assistance to women, offering an annual sum of Rs 10,000. The initiative was a key promise made by the BJP during its assembly election campaign and is seen as a step toward strengthening the economic status of women in the state.

Financial Assistance Under Subhadra Yojana

Under the Subhadra Yojana, each eligible woman will receive Rs 10,000 per year in two installments of Rs 5,000 each. The payments will be made directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts, with the first installment being deposited on Rakhi Purnima and the second on Women’s Day. The scheme will benefit over 1 crore women between the ages of 21 and 60 across the state, with assistance continuing for the next five years. The scheme is scheduled to be implemented from the current financial year 2024-25 through 2028-29, with the state cabinet allocating a total budget of Rs 55,825 crore for the program.

Eligibility for Subhadra Yojana

The scheme is intended to support financially weak women. Women employed in government jobs or those paying income tax will not be eligible for this program. Additionally, any woman receiving Rs 15,000 or more annually from other government schemes will also be excluded. The goal is to ensure that the Subhadra Yojana directly benefits those who need it the most. To further promote digital literacy and transactions, beneficiaries will receive a ‘Subhadra Debit Card.’ The government will identify 100 beneficiaries who engage in digital transactions and reward them with an additional incentive of Rs 500.

Application Process and Monitoring

Women interested in benefiting from the scheme can obtain application forms for free from Anganwadi centers, block offices, and public service centers across Odisha. To ensure effective implementation and monitoring, a special body called the ‘Subhadra Society’ will be formed. This organization will operate under the supervision of the Women and Child Development Department to oversee the scheme’s progress and resolve any issues. With this scheme, the Odisha government aims to provide vital financial support to women and further strengthen their role in the state’s economic development. As it rolls out, the Subhadra Yojana is expected to provide a much-needed boost to women across both rural and urban areas of Odisha.