Bhubaneswar, 16 September (H.S.) : Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, Pravati Parida on Wednesday appealed to people across the State to light lamps in every household on September 17 from 6 pm to 7 pm to mark the successful completion of two years of the State Government’s SUBHADRA Scheme.

Addressing a press conference at Lok Seva Bhawan, Parida highlighted the progress and achievements of the scheme since its launch.

She said financial assistance of Rs 25,800 crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of more than 1.03 crore women beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in five instalments.

Citing assessments by IIM Sambalpur, the State Bank of India (SBI) and NITI Aayog, the Deputy Chief Minister said more than 26 per cent of women in Odisha have become self-reliant through entrepreneurship with the support of the scheme.

September 17 to be Observed as Women’s Empowerment Day

Parida said September 17 should be observed as a day dedicated to women’s empowerment and self-respect. To mark the occasion, rangoli competitions and special celebrations will be organised at all ICDS projects, Anganwadi Centres and CDPO offices across the State.

She also said the Women & Child Development Department is working towards making Odisha 100 per cent free from malnutrition through the Poshan Abhiyan and building a “Nourished and Developed Odisha”.

The Deputy Chief Minister urged people across the State to participate in the lamp-lighting initiative and celebrate the spirit of women’s empowerment, dignity and self-reliance as SUBHADRA completes its second year.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda