Bhubaneswar: The District Collector’s Conference at the Lok Seva Bhavan Convention Center highlighted the substantial progress of Odisha’s flagship welfare initiative, the Subhadra Yojana. In an extensive discussion during the second session, Shubha Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, presented a detailed report on the scheme’s achievements, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.
The Subhadra Yojana, aimed at empowering women across Odisha, has seen significant success. Sharma revealed that 1,57,01,055 forms have already been distributed out of the 1,89,34,176 printed. Financial aid has been transferred to 25,29,720 beneficiaries, with 25,17,545 receiving the amount directly in their bank accounts and 12,175 through Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
Efforts to raise awareness about the scheme have been widespread, reaching villages through various methods of information dissemination. Additionally, beneficiaries of the National Food Security Scheme (NFSS) and State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) are being screened through the Social Protection Delivery Platform (SPDP) to ensure comprehensive coverage.
A field survey is currently underway to identify those who might have been excluded. To maintain transparency, all approved and rejected forms, along with reasons for rejection, will be published on the Subhadra Yojana web portal, with beneficiaries receiving SMS notifications.
Sharma also addressed concerns regarding unwithdrawn funds, clarifying that there are no provisions for returning unclaimed amounts to the government. She assured beneficiaries that their money remains secure in their bank accounts.
Praise and Future Milestones
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida praised the dedication of the district collectors and the Women and Child Development Department, urging officials to prioritize awareness programs, especially in tribal areas. She expressed confidence that the scheme will soon enroll one crore women, marking a milestone in Odisha’s welfare efforts.
Health and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling commended the use of technology in executing the Subhadra Yojana and suggested rewarding centers like ‘Mo Seva Kendra’ and ‘Jan Seva Kendra’ for their contributions. Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary of the Department of Information & Technology, discussed the registration and verification procedures, ensuring streamlined processes for beneficiaries.
Local success stories were also shared, with Cuttack District Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde proposing the integration of Aadhaar services with ‘Mo Seva Kendra’ and ‘Jan Seva Kendra’ centers to further simplify registrations. Koraput District Collector V Kirti Vasan echoed the enthusiasm of the local population for the scheme.