Subhadra Yojana in Puri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the Subhadra Yojana in Odisha on September 17, aimed at empowering over one crore women by providing Rs 10,000 annually for five years through direct bank transfers. The scheme, approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is part of the BJP's election manifesto and will be rolled out with a total outlay of Rs 55,825 crore. Women aged 21 to 60 will be eligible, with the first instalment being disbursed on Raksha Bandhan. However, the initiative has faced criticism from opposition leaders, who argue it is a limited benefit scheme covering only one crore women out of a much larger female population in Odisha. Additionally, the scheme includes provisions for widows and women with disabilities, and beneficiaries who use the designated debit card for digital transactions will be incentivized. The implementation process allows women to apply through local offices, requiring approval from their MLAs.