Bhubaneswar, August 25: BJD MP Sulata Deo on Saturday criticised BJP government’s Subhadra Yojana and termed it as an election gimmick and an injustice to women.
She noted that while the scheme was promised to benefit 2.25 crore women, only 70 lakh women will actually get covered under the Subhadra Yojana. This is just another election 'jumla,' similar to previous promises like 2 crore jobs and 15 lakh in bank accounts, she added.
Initially, it was promised that every woman would receive Rs 50,000 in two years, but now only one out of three women will get the amount, and that too only Rs 5,000. Over five years, this totals Rs 50,000, which amounts to just Rs 10,000 per year. What can women do with such a small amount?" she said.
"The scheme's promise of Rs 50,000 per year was supposed to help women in invest, but their plans have been thwarted," she added.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the implementation of SUBHADRA Yojana in the state on August 23.
The Chief Minister informed the state Assembly that the state Cabinet, in its meeting held on Thursday, approved the implementation of the scheme from the financial year 2024-25 to the financial year 2028-29.
An outlay of Rs.55,825.00 crore has been made for this initiative.
The government will transfer Subhadra Yojana assistance of Rs 10,000 per year in DBT to over 1 crore women between the age group 21-60 twice in every year (on Rakhi Purnima and International Women’s Day).
The Chief Minister said Subhadra Yojana will transform the lives of more than 1 crore women of the state. It will cover all eligible women aged 21 years or above and less than 60 years.
“A total of Rs.10,000/- per annum will be paid in two instalments of Rs. 5000/- each on Rakhi Purnima Day and International Women's Day (March 8). Thus, an eligible woman beneficiary will get Rs. 50,000/- in total in five years,” he said.
In order to ensure transparency in providing the assistance, the payment will be made directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-enabled single-holder (DBT) Bank Account through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS). A SUBHADRA Debit Card will also be issued to the beneficiaries.
In order to encourage digital transactions, 100 beneficiaries with maximum digital transactions will be identified in each Gram Panchayat and Urban Local Body and an additional incentive of Rs.500 shall be given to each of them.
Women from economically well-off families, government servants or Income Tax payees will not be eligible under this scheme.
Besides, women who are receiving assistance of Rs.1,500 or more per month or Rs 18,000 or more per year under any other government scheme will also be ineligible for inclusion under Subhadra Yojana.
To avail the benefits under this scheme, the women can apply by filling up the forms available free of cost at Anganwadi Centres, Block Offices, Mo Seva Kendras, Jan Seva Kendras etc.. A Call Centre will also be set up for ‘Subhadra Yojana’.
Women and Child Development Department will establish a Subhadra Society for the implementation and monitoring of the programme.
