Bhubaneswar, 9 August (H.S.)– The Odisha government continues to strengthen its commitment to women’s empowerment and regional development as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today distributed the third installment of the state’s flagship women’s empowerment initiative, the ‘Subhadra’ scheme, in Koraput district. The scheme, which has so far benefited over one crore women across Odisha, is transforming lives by providing financial assistance that not only boosts family incomes but also enables women to become entrepreneurs in their own right.
At the grand distribution ceremony held in Jaipur, Koraput, Chief Minister Majhi credited the ‘Subhadra’ scheme for opening a new chapter of progress and positive change in the lives of many women. During the event, financial assistance was directly credited to the bank accounts of one crore women beneficiaries under the scheme. The Chief Minister also honored women who have been successful under the ‘Subhadra’ scheme, as well as those who have played key roles in implementing the program effectively.
In addition to the distribution of funds, Chief Minister Majhi inaugurated 126 new projects valued at over ₹309 crore and laid the foundation stone for 436 projects worth more than ₹452 crore across Koraput district. These initiatives encompass vital sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure including bridges and roads, and tourism development. The combined investment of over ₹762 crore in these projects is expected to significantly accelerate the district’s socio-economic growth.
During his address, the Chief Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by many mothers who were forced to abandon their dreams due to financial constraints. He described the ‘Subhadra’ scheme as a beacon of hope for such women. The government’s aim is to empower all women to become self-reliant and actively contribute to building an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Through this initiative, millions of mothers have been able to start their own small and medium enterprises and are now expanding their businesses by investing additional capital.
Chief Minister Majhi further announced a significant infrastructure development: the soon-to-be-launched Vande Bharat Express will connect Jaipur to Bhubaneswar, improving regional connectivity and boosting economic activities. He also revealed plans to restart the Jaipur Paper Mill and establish a new college in Jaipur, which will create new educational and employment opportunities for the local population.
Highlighting the grassroots success of the program, Majhi noted that the government has successfully enrolled a large number of women from the Kotia Gram Panchayat under the ‘Subhadra’ scheme. Out of 2,078 applications, 1,797 women have received the first installment, 1,795 women the second, and today, 1,783 beneficiaries were credited with the third installment directly into their bank accounts. This direct transfer mechanism exemplifies the government’s transparency and commitment to welfare delivery.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
