Odisha's Subhadra Yojana: Empowering Women, Changing Lives

Overview and Objectives of Subhadra Yojana

• Launched by Odisha government on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday
• Named after Goddess Subhadra, sister of Lord Jagannath
• Aims to provide financial assistance to women aged 21-60 years
• Designed to ensure economic independence and overall well-being of women
• Targets to benefit over 1 crore women across the state over five years

Eligibility and Implementation

• Focused on women from economically weaker backgrounds
• Exclusions: wealthy families, government employees, income tax payers
• Women receiving ₹1,500 per month under other schemes also ineligible
• Beneficiaries to receive ₹10,000 annually, disbursed in two installments
• Payments made on Rakhi Purnima (₹5,000) and International Women's Day (₹5,000)
• Direct transfer to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts
• E-KYC verification mandatory for secure transactions
• Subhadra Debit Card issued to beneficiaries for easy access to funds

Financial Aspects and Incentives

• Total budget allocation of ₹55,825 crore over five years (2024-25 to 2028-29)
• ₹10,000 crore set aside for the first year (2024-25)
• Additional incentive of ₹500 for 100 beneficiaries with highest digital transactions in each gram panchayat and urban local body area
• Encourages digital literacy and financial inclusion among women

Political and Social Significance

• Launched as a key election promise by the BJP government
• Aims to attract women voters, particularly those in self-help groups
• Competes with BJD's Mission Shakti programme
• Seen as a step towards women's empowerment and gender equality
• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hails it as a "progressive and revolutionary scheme"