Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi distributed financial assistance to over 4 lakh 57 thousand beneficiaries of the Subhadra Yojana, Odisha’s largest women-centric welfare scheme, at the Krushi Shiksha Sadan in OUAT today. During the event, the Chief Minister transferred more than 315 crore rupees directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
The assistance was provided to those who had not yet received their first, second, or third installments, as well as newly registered beneficiaries for the 2025-26 financial year.
While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Majhi emphasized that the Subhadra Yojana, with an annual budget of 11,000 crore rupees, is the largest scheme for women in Odisha since independence. Under this initiative, more than 1 crore eligible women between the ages of 21 and 60 will receive a total of 50,000 rupees over five years. This amount is disbursed in two annual installments of 5,000 rupees each. He noted that the scheme is a testament to the government’s commitment to the mothers and sisters of Odisha.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the decision to launch the scheme was taken in the very first cabinet meeting of the current government. It was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar on September 17, 2024. To date, over 15,000 crore rupees have been disbursed across three installments to more than one crore women. The government has scheduled these installments to be released annually on the occasions of Rakhi Purnima and International Women’s Day.
Speaking on women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister stated that financial independence breeds self-confidence. He remarked that when a woman holds financial resources, her voice becomes stronger within the family and society, allowing her to plan for the future and face challenges with courage. He added that the scheme focuses on social justice by supporting women from economically weaker sections, rural areas, tribal communities, and urban poor families to ensure no one is left behind in the journey of development.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the state government has allocated a record 89,862 crore rupees specifically for women in the current budget, which accounts for nearly 30 percent of the total budget. He asserted that the Subhadra Yojana is not just about financial aid but also about bridging the gap in education, skills, and employment opportunities.
Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida, who also attended the event, stated that the Subhadra Yojana has shown that women can start their own entrepreneurial journeys. She emphasized that through dignity and self-reliance, the goal of a prosperous and developed Odisha can be achieved.
During the program, the Chief Minister honored five successful Subhadra beneficiaries and handed over assistance checks. Other dignitaries present included Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Shri Babu Singh, Principal Secretary of Women and Child Development Department Smt. Shubha Sarma, and Departmental Director Smt. Monisha Banerjee.