Bhubaneswar, 22 January (H.S.): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday disbursed financial assistance to more than 4.57 lakh beneficiaries under the state’s largest women-centric welfare scheme, Subhadra. The distribution was carried out at the Agricultural Education Hall of OUAT in Bhubaneswar, where over Rs 315 crore was transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Officials said the assistance covered beneficiaries who had not received the first, second or third instalments earlier, as well as newly registered beneficiaries for the 2025–26 financial year.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister described Subhadra as the biggest women-focused welfare scheme in Odisha since Independence, with an annual outlay of Rs 11,000 crore. Under the scheme, more than one crore eligible women aged between 21 and 60 years will receive Rs 10,000 annually in two instalments over five years, amounting to a total assistance of Rs 50,000 per beneficiary.
Majhi said the scheme was approved by the Cabinet on the first day of the formation of the government, with the first instalment released on September 17, 2024. Launched in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme has so far provided over Rs 15,000 crore to more than one crore beneficiaries in three instalments. He added that the instalments are scheduled to be released every year on Raksha Bandhan and International Women’s Day.
Highlighting women empowerment, the Chief Minister said economic independence strengthens women’s confidence and decision-making role in families and society. He also noted that the state government has earmarked a record Rs 89,862 crore for women’s welfare in the current budget, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the total budget.
Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida said the Subhadra scheme has encouraged women to become self-reliant and pursue entrepreneurial initiatives. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also honoured five successful beneficiaries and presented them with assistance cheques.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda