On the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi marked a milestone in women’s empowerment by disbursing Rs 5,000 crore to over 1.24 crore women under the Subhadra Yojana. The third installment of this flagship scheme was released through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at a vibrant event in Jeypore, Koraput district, reinforcing the state’s commitment to financial inclusion.

The Subhadra Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2024, has rapidly become Odisha’s largest direct benefit transfer initiative, covering all eligible women aged 21 to 60 within just six-and-a-half months. Each beneficiary receives Rs 10,000 annually in two Rs 5,000 installments—one on Rakhi Purnima and the other on International Women’s Day—totaling Rs 50,000 over five years (2024-25 to 2028-29). The scheme targets women with annual incomes below Rs 2.5 lakh, excluding those with significant land ownership or income tax liabilities.

At the Jeypore event, Majhi highlighted the scheme’s transformative impact, noting that it has enabled lakhs of women to launch their own businesses. “This is not just financial aid; it’s a movement to make women economically independent,” he said. The initiative has also propelled Odisha to the top spot nationally for creating 17 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’—women earning over Rs 1 lakh annually—under PM Modi’s ambitious vision.

Also Read: PM Modi’s Heartwarming Raksha Bandhan with Students, Spiritual Leaders

Special attention was given to 1,783 women from Kotia panchayat near the Andhra Pradesh border, with 246 previously excluded beneficiaries receiving Rs 15,000 each, covering all three installments. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who has been overseeing the scheme’s implementation in Kotia, emphasized inclusivity: “No eligible woman, whether in Bhubaneswar or remote Kotia, will be left behind.” The government has reopened the Subhadra Yojana portal for new applications and will conduct door-to-door surveys in remote areas to ensure broader reach.

Beyond the disbursal, Majhi announced broader development plans for southern Odisha, including the formation of the South Odisha Development Council (SODC) with a Rs 200 crore budget. He also committed to reviving the Jeypore paper mill, establishing a new degree college, and introducing a Vande Bharat train from Jeypore to Bhubaneswar, responding to a request from local Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati. Additionally, 126 projects worth Rs 309.42 crore were inaugurated, and foundation stones were laid for 436 projects costing Rs 452 crore.

The event, attended by Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, along with other ministers and local leaders, was marked by a festive spirit, with women tying rakhis to dignitaries, symbolizing the bond of empowerment and protection.

Also Read: Delhi Schoolkids Celebrate Raksha Bandhan with IAF Heroes