On his birthday, September 17, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a new initiative called Subhadra Yojana in Odisha. This scheme is designed to empower women in the state, with the goal of helping more than 1 crore women between the ages of 21 and 60. The scheme is named after Goddess Subhadra, who is the sister of Lord Jagannath, a highly revered deity in Odisha.
Key Features of Subhadra Yojana
Under the Subhadra Yojana, every eligible woman will be provided with a sum of Rs 50,000 spread across five years. This amount will be given in yearly instalments of Rs 10,000. The financial aid will be transferred directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts in two instalments of Rs 5,000 each year. These payments will be made on two significant occasions: Raksha Bandhan in August and International Women’s Day on March 8th.
More than 50 lakh women have already registered for this scheme, showing a strong response from the community. The inaugural event, led by Prime Minister Modi, marked the first transfer of funds to over 10 lakh women, kicking off this ambitious and impactful program.
The Subhadra Yojana comes with a substantial budget of Rs 55,825 crore, set to be spent over the next five years (2024-2029). The government’s aim is to provide reliable financial support to women who need it the most.
A strong infrastructure supports the scheme, which integrates with the JAM trinity: Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar numbers, and mobile numbers. This system ensures smooth and efficient disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries.
Registration Process
Registrations for Subhadra Yojana began on September 1, 2024. Women who qualify for the scheme need to complete an e-KYC process and link their Aadhaar to their bank accounts to receive the aid. Once they have registered and their applications are approved, they will receive a Subhadra Debit Card for easier transactions.
In addition to the financial aid, the government has announced an extra incentive of Rs 500 for the top 100 women who make the most digital transactions in each gram panchayat or urban area.
Eligibility Criteria
The Subhadra Yojana is targeted at women from financially weaker sections of society. However, there are some exclusions. Women from wealthy families, government employees, and those who pay income tax will not be eligible for the scheme. Furthermore, women who are already receiving Rs 1,500 or more per month under any other government initiative will not qualify.
Impact of Subhadra Yojana
The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system will make it easier for the government to transfer funds directly into the bank accounts of eligible women. Odisha already has over 1 crore women with Jan Dhan accounts, which will help the scheme’s smooth operation.
Economists predict that providing financial support of Rs 10,000 per woman every year could have a significant impact on the economy. With over 1 crore women benefiting from the scheme, it is estimated that the Subhadra Yojana could contribute Rs 2.5 lakh crore to the state’s economy over the next five years.
The Subhadra Yojana is an important step toward empowering women in Odisha. By providing much-needed financial support to over 1 crore women, the scheme aims to improve their quality of life and enhance their economic status. With a strong focus on digital transactions and direct benefit transfers, the scheme is expected to have a far-reaching positive effect on Odisha’s economy and the lives of its women.
This initiative is a strong example of how targeted government schemes can drive social and economic change, making Subhadra Yojana a landmark effort in women’s empowerment in India.
