Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched the disbursement of the fifth installment of the Subhadra scheme at a state-level programme in Lathipada, Nayagarh.
The assistance was directly transferred to the bank accounts of more than 1.03 crore women beneficiaries across Odisha on the occasion of Raksha Purnima.
More than 2.33 lakh eligible women beneficiaries in Nayagarh district received the fifth installment under the scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi said true empowerment means enabling women to become socially and economically self-reliant. He also stressed the importance of giving women greater control over decisions concerning their own lives.
The CM said the Subhadra scheme should not be viewed merely as a programme for distributing financial assistance. He described it as an expression of the state government’s commitment to the self-reliance and dignified lives of women.
According to the government, Odisha has created 27 lakh Lakhpati Didis, surpassing the target set under the initiative and emerging as a leading state in the country.
A survey conducted by IIM Sambalpur and the State Bank of India found that around 80% of Subhadra beneficiaries are using the financial assistance for long-term financial security and starting enterprises.
The state government is also focusing on strengthening women’s entrepreneurship through the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, the CM noted.
The platform will provide women with skill training, mentorship, market linkages and financial assistance to help them establish and expand enterprises.
The Odisha Budget has allocated Rs 1,22,764 crore for women’s development and welfare, according to the government.
Majhi further said women who have benefited from Subhadra are increasingly using the support to pursue their ambitions, establish businesses and inspire others.
He said the confidence and economic progress of women would play a key role in building a developed and prosperous Odisha.
The CM also announced that work on the re-establishment of the Nayagarh Sugar Mill and the circular irrigation project would begin soon with the cooperation of the Central government.
He said these initiatives would support the development of the district and strengthen economic opportunities for the local population.
The fifth Subhadra installment marks another major disbursement under Odisha’s flagship women-focused welfare scheme, with the government linking financial assistance to women’s economic independence and entrepreneurship.
