Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday disbursed financial assistance of ₹5,000 to over 20 lakh new beneficiaries in the third phase of the first installment of Odisha’s flagship women empowerment scheme, Subhadra Yojana. This initiative, the state’s largest empowerment program for women, has now reached 80 lakh beneficiaries, with a cumulative assistance of ₹4,000 crore.
During the event, the Chief Minister emphasized the transformative potential of the scheme, stating, “The fruits of development should be felt by people from all walks of life. Subhadra Yojana is a well-thought-out and beautiful step in this direction.”
He drew parallels between the state’s cultural ethos and the scheme, noting that Maa Subhadra, a symbol of equality and strength in Jagannath culture, inspired the program’s vision. “In Odisha, women are the embodiment of Maa Subhadra, and respecting their strength is part of our tradition,” he said, referencing Raja Parva, the state’s festival celebrating womanhood.
The Subhadra Yojana began with over 25 lakh beneficiaries receiving assistance in its first phase. The second phase in Mayurbhanj extended support to 35 lakh women. Now, with the third phase, over 20 lakh new beneficiaries have been added, bringing the total to 80 lakh women empowered across Odisha.
During the disbursal ceremony, held in Sundargarh, the Chief Minister praised the district as a “cradle of hockey” and lauded its contributions to education, health, mining, industry, and tourism. He also highlighted Sundargarh’s historical role in India’s freedom struggle, recalling its support for leaders like Veer Surendra Sai, Birsa Munda, and Nirmal Munda, as well as the sacrifices of tribal leaders such as Jagan Tanti, Balabhadra Tanti, and Portika Nath Kusum.
Majhi noted that 4.59 lakh women in Sundargarh have registered for the Subhadra Yojana, with over 3.37 lakh already receiving their first installment.
In a further push for the district’s growth, the Chief Minister launched 984 development projects worth ₹1,201 crore, including the inauguration of 692 projects valued at ₹808 crore.
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, praised the state government’s dedication to women’s development, urging efforts to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are included in the Subhadra Yojana. “Women’s empowerment must be taken forward as a shared responsibility,” he remarked.
The Subhadra Yojana continues to stand as a beacon of Odisha’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive progress, strengthening the role of women in shaping the state’s future.
