Bhubaneswar, Oct 23
The state government has recently announced a major update to the Subhadra Scheme, which supports vulnerable citizens through financial aid. Under this new decision, beneficiaries will no longer receive ATM or debit cards for accessing their funds. Instead, payments will now be directly transferred to their bank accounts, a move aimed at simplifying the process and ensuring faster, hassle-free access to financial support.
Officials explained that the decision was made because some beneficiaries found managing physical cards difficult. By switching to direct bank transfers, the government hopes to make the process easier and more accessible. Beneficiaries are encouraged to make sure their bank account details are up to date to avoid any payment delays.
Additionally, the government has approved using Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to distribute financial aid under the scheme. This change aligns with the growing use of digital payments, such as UPI and Aadhaar-based systems, which are already widely used by the public. The low usage of debit cards and the increasing convenience of digital transactions influenced this shift.
In another important update, two civil society representatives will now be included in the scrutiny committees at the Block and Urban Local Body levels. These representatives, nominated by committee chairpersons, are intended to ensure greater transparency in the scheme’s operation.
These changes are expected to speed up the distribution of benefits and reduce challenges faced by beneficiaries, particularly women, who make up a significant portion of those receiving aid. The government remains committed to improving the efficiency of the program and preventing issues like harassment during the process of accessing financial support.