In a significant development for the women of Odisha, the state government has announced that the second phase of the first installment under the women-centric Subhadra Yojana will be disbursed on October 9, 2024. This announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who emphasized that the funds will be credited to the bank accounts of eligible women beneficiaries who were excluded in the first phase.
The disbursement event will take place in Baripada, located in Mayurbhanj district, which is notable for being the homeland of Maa Subhadra and the birthplace of India's President, Droupadi Murmu. Baripada also has the highest number of Subhadra Yojana beneficiaries, making it a symbolic and culturally significant venue for the event.
Eligibility and Application Process
Women who apply for the Subhadra Yojana on or before October 7 will be included in the verification process and will receive the first installment of Rs 5,000 on October 9. This phase is expected to benefit approximately 40 lakh women across the state, marking it as one of the largest social welfare disbursements under the current administration.
The Subhadra Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2024, aims to provide direct financial support to women across Odisha. The scheme is designed to benefit around 1.08 crore women in the state, with each eligible beneficiary receiving Rs 50,000 over a period of five years, from 2024-25 to 2028-29. The financial assistance will be provided in two installments annually, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and International Womens Day (March 8).
Significance and Impact
The Subhadra Yojana is a flagship initiative of the Odisha government aimed at financially empowering women, particularly those from economically weaker sections. The scheme is part of the governments broader efforts to reduce gender disparities and boost household incomes by enabling women to have direct access to financial resources.
The upcoming disbursement on October 9 is being presented as a Dussehra gift from Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to the women of Odisha, adding a festive and celebratory tone to the event. The government has also planned to felicitate the first and the one-croreth applicant in a special ceremony, highlighting the symbolic importance of the scheme for womens empowerment in the state.
With over 97 lakh women already registered under the Subhadra Yojana, the schemes widespread reach is set to significantly impact the socio-economic fabric of Odisha. The state government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 55,825 crore for the scheme, underscoring its commitment to womens empowerment and financial independence.
