Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi transferred Rs 5,000 crore to over 1 crore beneficiaries of Subhadra Yojana at a ceremony in Berhampur on International Women’s Day on Saturday, highlighting that the decision to implement the scheme was made within 24 minutes of his govt assuming office.
An amount of Rs 5,000 each was credited to the bank accounts of 1.18 crore women in a single go. These women have received the first instalment of the same amount in five phases over seven months. Majhi disbursed the second instalment of the scheme at the event in Berhampur.
The CM said the Subhadra scheme has transformed into a broader social movement and dubbed it as the ‘Subhadra Revolution’. “The decision to implement the Subhadra scheme was made within 24 minutes of our govt assuming office, in contrast to the previous administration’s inaction for over 24 years. We crossed the milestone of 1 crore beneficiaries in less than 9 months.”
Majhi said the scheme is not just about providing financial aid twice a year, but it will transform into a large-scale campaign. “From young girls to elderly women, all will be empowered and become financially independent under the initiative. The scheme will bring new hope and confidence to every woman in Odisha,” he added.
In a strong message on violence against women, Majhi said, “For me, a person who commits a crime against women is not just an offender but a criminal who deserves to be behind bars. They have no place in a civilised society. I have directed officials to take stringent action against such offenders.”
On ‘Lakhpati Didis’, Majhi said Odisha has successfully implemented the central scheme, securing the second position in the country with 5 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ so far. “The state is committed to creating 25 lakh Lakhpati Didis by 2027. Women empowerment was limited to slogans for the last 24 years, but our govt has pledged to empower women politically, socially and economically through various schemes,” he said.
The next instalment of Subhadra scheme will be disbursed on Raksha Bandhan. “Women beneficiaries who are left out can register by March 31 to get three instalments together,” said deputy CM Pravati Parida.
The govt has earmarked over Rs 55,825 crore for the Subhadra scheme over five years. This year the govt has allocated Rs 10,145 crore for 2025-26.
However, leader of the opposition and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik criticised the state govt and said, “Former CM Biju Patnaik took the historic step of empowering mothers by giving 33% reservation for women in panchayats, and BJD made it 50%. But they insulted him. The BJP govt is giving a meagre Rs 27 per day under the Subhadra scheme, and women will get nothing out of it.”