The Odisha government announced that the second phase of financial assistance under its flagship Subhadra Yojana will be disbursed to eligible women beneficiaries on October 9, coinciding with the Dussehra festival. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida confirmed that the registration and verification processes are ongoing, and over 97 lakh women have already registered for the scheme.
Ongoing Registration and Verification
Deputy CM Parida revealed that the state aims to benefit 1.08 crore women through the Subhadra Yojana. “Those who apply for the scheme until October 7 will undergo verification, and those deemed eligible will receive the first installment of Rs 5,000 during the second phase disbursement on October 9,” she said.
The upcoming disbursement will see over 40 lakh beneficiaries receiving assistance as a Dussehra gift, she added, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting women in the state.
Grand Event at Baripada for Disbursement
The state government is planning a grand event in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district, where Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his cabinet colleagues will preside over the disbursement ceremony. The first beneficiary and the one croreth beneficiary will be felicitated at the event.
Notably, Baripada holds cultural significance as the place where only women devotees pull the chariot of Devi Subhadra during the Rath Yatra. It is also the home district of President Droupadi Murmu, with the highest number of beneficiaries of the scheme coming from this region.
No Need for Panic: Eligible Women Will Receive Assistance
Parida assured the public that the Subhadra Yojana is an ongoing initiative and that all eligible women aged between 21 and 60 years will receive the assistance after proper verification. Those who registered before February have already received their first installment, while others will follow in due course.
“The second installment will be released on March 8, 2025, marking International Women’s Day,” Parida added, emphasizing that the scheme is designed to empower and uplift women across Odisha.
Prime Minister’s Launch of the Subhadra Yojana
The Subhadra Yojana was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, coinciding with his birthday, in a special event held in Odisha. On the same day, the first installment of Rs 5,000 was transferred to the Aadhaar-linked, DBT-enabled bank accounts of 25.11 lakh beneficiaries, totaling Rs 1,250.55 crore.
The government has allocated a Rs 10,000 crore budget for the Subhadra Yojana in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The scheme focuses on 4S principles—Sashaktikaran (empowerment), Swabhiman (self-respect), Samman (dignity), and Samruddhi (prosperity) for women. Over the next five years, eligible women will receive Rs 50,000, with a total scheme outlay of Rs 55,825 crore during the 2024-2029 period.
The Odisha government’s commitment to ensuring financial support and empowerment for women through the Subhadra Yojana reflects its focus on promoting gender equality and socio-economic development across the state.
amfnews