Bhubaneswar, March 8: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday distributed more than ₹5,100 crore as the fourth instalment of the state’s flagship Subhadra Yojana to about 1.02 crore women beneficiaries.
The funds were released during a programme organised in Puri to mark International Women’s Day.
Each eligible woman received ₹5,000 directly in her bank account. These beneficiaries had already received the same amount in the previous three instalments. In addition, 2.13 lakh new beneficiaries were included in the second instalment cycle. This group also includes women who recently turned 21 under the ‘Yuva Subhadra’ category, along with 36,385 women who were added after their cases were resolved through the grievance redressal system.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi said the scheme has helped women gain financial independence and build a stronger identity in society.
According to him, the financial assistance provided through Subhadra Yojana is helping women become more self-reliant.
He added that such empowerment is supporting Odisha’s progress towards becoming a prosperous and developed state.
The Chief Minister stated that more than ₹15,000 crore has already been transferred to beneficiaries so far. With the latest payment of ₹5,106.33 crore through direct benefit transfer (DBT), a total of 1.02 crore women have received financial assistance under the scheme.
Majhi also responded to criticism of the programme, saying the funds will circulate within the state’s markets and benefit small traders, artisans and local businesses by increasing the purchasing power of many households.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the distribution of over ₹20,000 crore through the scheme reflects the government’s strong commitment to strengthening the position of women in Odisha.
The Subhadra Yojana was introduced in the state in 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the scheme, women aged between 21 and 60 years are eligible to receive a total financial assistance of ₹50,000 over a period of five years.
