Odisha's Subhadra Yojana: PM Modi to Launch New Financial Assistance Scheme on His Birthday
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| Subhasra Yojana for Women -Government of Odisha |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a significant welfare initiative for women in Odisha, named the Subhadra Yojana, on his 74th birthday, September 17. This scheme, introduced by the Odisha government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, aims to provide financial assistance to over one crore women across the state. The launch will be a major political and social event, with a gathering of women from all corners of Odisha at Bhubaneswar’s Janata Maidan, where the Prime Minister will officially unveil the program.
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Overview of the Subhadra Yojana
The Subhadra Yojana has been named after Goddess Subhadra, the younger sister of Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of Odisha. Lord Jagannath, who is worshipped by a large majority of the state’s Hindu population, is often depicted with his siblings, Subhadra and Balabhadra, making the name both spiritually and culturally significant for the people of Odisha.
This scheme is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) initiative, where eligible women between the ages of 21 and 60 will receive Rs 10,000 annually in two instalments. The first instalment will be credited on Rakhi Purnima(which falls in August), and the second on International Women’s Day (March 8).
Key Objectives of Subhadra Jojana
Eligibility Criteria of Subhadra Yojana
Not all women are eligible to receive this assistance. Here are the eligibility criteria for the Subhadra Yojana:
- Age Group: Women between 21 and 60 years.
- Income Restrictions: Women from economically affluent families, government employees, and those who pay income tax are not eligible.
- Other Assistance: Women already receiving more than Rs 1,500 per month (Rs 18,000 per year) under any other government scheme will also be excluded from this scheme.
How the Scheme Will Work
The financial assistance under the Subhadra Yojana will be provided directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the beneficiaries. The government has made e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) mandatory for participation in the scheme. Each woman enrolled in the program will receive a Subhadra Debit Card to access the funds.
An additional incentive of Rs 500 will be given to 100 beneficiaries from each gram panchayat and urban local area who make the most digital transactions. This incentive is aimed at encouraging rural and urban women to adopt digital banking methods, furthering the government's digital financial inclusion agenda.
Rush for Registration
Since the announcement of the scheme, banks, post offices, and common service centers across Odisha have been witnessing a rush of women eager to enrol. Women are either signing up for the program or updating their Aadhaar details to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. There is no fixed deadline for registration, and the government has stated that the enrolment process will continue until all eligible women in the state are covered.
Financial Commitment by the Government
The Odisha government has earmarked a total of Rs 55,825 crore for the Subhadra Yojana over the next five years, from 2024-2029. For the current financial year (2024-25), Rs 10,000 crore has already been set aside to cover the initial phase of the scheme.
According to sources in the state finance department, the funds required for this large-scale initiative have been adequately planned. Officials also assured that there will be no financial constraints for its successful implementation over the coming years.
Political Significance of the Subhadra Yojana
The Subhadra Yojana was a flagship promise made by the BJP during its campaign in the recent state and national elections. The BJP’s landslide victory in the state, ending the 24-year reign of the BJD (Biju Janata Dal), saw the party secure 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha.
For over two decades, the BJD’s Mission Shakti program played a crucial role in building a strong vote bank among women. Launched in 2001, Mission Shakti aimed to empower women by organizing them into self-help groups (SHGs), providing them with credit and market linkages. By 2024, nearly 70 lakh women had joined 6 lakh SHGs under Mission Shakti, creating a loyal female voter base for the BJD.
In response, the BJP promised a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme targeting women, to counter the BJD’s influence among women voters. As part of its election manifesto, the BJP initially proposed a Rs 50,000 voucher scheme, where each woman beneficiary would receive a voucher that could be encashed over two years. However, after coming to power, the government modified this scheme into the Subhadra Yojana, offering Rs 10,000 annually instead.
Within hours of being sworn in on June 12, the BJP government under Chief Minister Majhi approved the implementation of the Subhadra Yojana, fulfilling its election promise, though with some modifications. The decision was aimed at strengthening the BJP’s voter base among women, especially those who had previously supported the BJD due to its focus on women’s empowerment.
Conclusion
The Subhadra Yojana is set to be a transformative welfare scheme for women in Odisha, providing direct financial assistance to over one crore women over the next five years. Launched with great fanfare on Prime Minister Modi’s birthday, it holds both social and political significance. The scheme aims not only to support women financially but also to encourage digital financial transactions and banking inclusion in the state. With its significant budget allocation and wide coverage, the Subhadra Yojana is poised to become a central pillar in Odisha’s social welfare landscape.
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