Prime Minister Modi to launch Odisha's ‘Subhadra Yojana’ on his 74th birthday

Bhubaneswar, Sept 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the ‘Subhadra Yojana’ today, a major initiative by Odisha’s newly elected BJP government. 

This flagship program is expected to provide significant benefits to over one crore women across the state. The state BJP government had announced launching of the programme on September 17 which coincides with Modi's 74th birthday celebrations.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a security review at Janata Maidan, the venue for the launch. Officials have been busy preparing for the event, which is expected to draw a large crowd of women. Final arrangements were being made on Monday.

PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar at 10.50 am today. First, he will visit Gadakana Basti, where he will interact with beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) .

The Prime Minister is then expected to arrive at Janata Maidan at 11.55 am to officially launch the ‘Subhadra Yojana.’ The scheme, approved by the state Cabinet last month, will provide eligible women aged 21 to 60 years with a total of Rs 50,000 over the next five years. The funds will be distributed in two installments of Rs 5,000 every year and a total of Rs 50,000 in five years, each on Rakhi Purnima and International Women’s Day through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The state government has allocated Rs 55,825 crore for the scheme.

The launch of the Subhadra Yojana has generated significant enthusiasm among women in Odisha. On September 4, women flocked to various centers to submit applications for financial assistance, with many also updating their Aadhar cards.

In addition to the Subhadra Yojana launch, PM Modi will dedicate and lay the foundation for several developmental projects at Janata Maidan between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm. These include railway projects worth Rs 2,871 crore aimed at improving rail connectivity, reducing congestion on key routes, and supporting regional socio-economic development.

During the event, PM Modi will also distribute sanction letters to 10 lakh beneficiaries across various states and digitally transfer the first installment of Rs 3,180 crore to PMAY-G beneficiaries in 14 states. Additionally, he will participate in the virtual Griha Pravesh celebrations for 26 lakh PMAY (Gramin and Urban) beneficiaries. The “Awas + 2024” app will be launched during the program.

The Prime Minister is expected to depart for New Delhi from Bhubaneswar Airport at 1:20 pm.

In preparation for the visit, extensive security measures have been implemented. The police have deployed 11 DCP rank officers, 21 Additional DCPs, 86 ACPs, 120 inspectors, 329 other officers, 81 platoons of police, and 500 home guards. Additionally, three Special Tactical Units and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, along with two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), will ensure the safety and security of the event.