Odisha Chief Minister distributed Subhadra assistance to more than 4.57 lakh beneficiaries

Bhubaneswar;22/1/26: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi distributed Subhadra assistance to more than 4.57 lakh beneficiaries at a state-level programme held at the OUAT campus in Bhubaneswar.

The government transferred over Rs 315 crore directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

Officials confirmed that the latest disbursal covered both newly registered beneficiaries for the 2025-26 financial year and those who had missed earlier instalments. The Subhadra scheme, launched in September 2024 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has already reached over one crore women across Odisha, with assistance exceeding Rs 15,000 crore in three instalments.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister described Subhadra as the largest women-centric welfare programme in post-independence Odisha. With an annual budgetary provision of Rs 11,000 crore, the scheme aims to provide Rs 50,000 to each eligible woman aged 21 to 60 years over five years, in two instalments of Rs 10,000 per year. The instalments are scheduled to be disbursed on Raksha Bandhan and International Women’s Day.

Majhi emphasised that financial independence builds confidence among women, empowering them to make decisions, plan for the future, and face challenges with courage. He said Subhadra not only strengthens women economically but also promotes social justice by supporting weaker sections, tribal communities, rural households, and urban poor families.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida added that the scheme has inspired women to start their own ventures, fostering dignity, self-reliance, and pride. During the programme, five successful Subhadra beneficiaries were felicitated and presented with assistance cheques.

Senior officials, including Women and Child Development Secretary Shubha Sharma and Director Monisha Banerjee, attended the event alongside local leaders.