Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday distributed ₹5,000 to over 18 lakh women as part of the Subhadra Yojana, a financial assistance program aimed at empowering women in the state. This marks the fourth phase of the first payment under the scheme.
₹900 Crore Transferred to Beneficiaries
At a ceremony in Jajpur district, CM Majhi, alongside Deputy CM Pravati Parida and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, transferred ₹900 crore directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
With this latest installment, over 98 lakh women in Odisha have now received ₹5,000 each through the Subhadra Yojana, which was launched by the BJP government in the state.
Empowering Women Financially
CM Majhi emphasized that this financial support is designed to make women financially independent. He highlighted that many women would use this assistance to start small businesses, thereby improving their financial standing and contributing to the state’s economic growth.
“The goal is to create a developed Odisha with the help of women’s efforts,” CM Majhi said. He assured that the government would continue supporting women through this initiative.
Timeline of Subhadra Yojana Payments
The fourth phase of payments was initially scheduled for December 25, 2024, but was delayed due to the verification process. In the third phase, on November 24, 2024, 20 lakh women received financial support.
The Subhadra Yojana was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2024, after the BJP came to power in Odisha, marking the end of 24 years of BJD rule.
Breakdown of Previous Payments
- 1st Phase (Sept 17, 2024): 25 lakh women received assistance.
- 2nd Phase (Oct 9, 2024): 39 lakh women benefitted.
- 3rd Phase (Nov 24, 2024): 20 lakh women received funds.
Next Payment Scheduled for March 8
Deputy CM Paravati Parida announced that the next phase of payments will take place on March 8, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Day. She also revealed that the scheme plans to include over one crore women, aged 21 to 59, under its umbrella.
Subhadra Yojana: A Path to Empowerment
Launched by Prime Minister Modi on September 17, 2024, after the BJP’s election victory in Odisha, the Subhadra Yojana is designed to provide financial support to women in education, business, and daily needs. The scheme aims to support over one crore women across the state.
Training and Skill Development
Alongside financial assistance, the Odisha government is also focusing on training women to become self-reliant. CM Majhi shared that the government is collaborating with the World Skill Centre and IIM Sambalpur through the ‘Utkarsha Odisha’ program to train women in business and financial management. “Once women learn how to run a business, they can become successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
At the Jajpur event, over 4.94 lakh women attended, and more than 3.75 lakh women received their financial assistance. In Jajpur district alone, over 79,000 women received their first payment in this phase.
Looking Ahead
During his visit, CM Majhi also inaugurated a town hall at Byasa Nagar and the Byasa Sarovar. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting women and helping them contribute to Odisha’s development.
With more financial support and training programs scheduled for Women’s Day and Raksha Bandhan, the Subhadra Yojana is set to transform the lives of many women in Odisha, making them financially strong and independent.