On his 74th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a significant initiative aimed at empowering women in Odisha. The Subhadra Yojana, named after Goddess Subhadra, promises to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 annually to eligible women in the state. This scheme is a part of the BJP’s manifesto and aims to uplift women economically, ensuring their active participation in nation-building.

Details of the Subhadra Yojana

The Subhadra Yojana is designed to benefit women aged between 21 and 60 years. Under this scheme, the Odisha government will transfer Rs 10,000 per year to the bank accounts of eligible female beneficiaries. The amount will be disbursed in two installments: Rs 5,000 on Raksha Bandhan and Rs 5,000 on International Women’s Day.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure that the benefits reach the most deserving, the scheme has specific eligibility criteria:
• Women from economically well-off families, government employees, and income-tax payees are not eligible.

• Women receiving assistance of Rs 1,500 or more per month (or Rs 18,000 or more per year) under any other government scheme will also be excluded.

Implementation and Registration

The money will be directly deposited into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the beneficiaries. The government has made e-KYC mandatory for this scheme. Beneficiaries will also be issued Subhadra debit cards. Registration for the scheme is ongoing at banks, post offices, and common service centers across Odisha.

Impact and Budget

The Subhadra Yojana is expected to benefit over one crore women in Odisha. The government has allocated a budget of Rs 55,825 crore for the scheme over the next five years, with Rs 10,000 crore set aside for the current financial year.

The Subhadra Yojana is a commendable step towards empowering women and ensuring their financial independence. By providing direct financial assistance, the scheme aims to uplift the socio-economic status of women in Odisha, contributing to the overall development of the state.