Bhubaneswar, Sep 17 (Bureau) On his 74th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched the Odisha government’s flagship program, the Subhadra Yojana, fulfilling a major poll promise made by the BJP during the 2024 elections. Modi inaugurated the Subhadra Yojana at a special event held at Janata Maidan, attended by over 70,000 women from across the state. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized that “Nari Shakti” (women’s empowerment) is a key mantra for the development of Odisha. He highlighted that the Subhadra Yojana, introduced by the BJP government, would strengthen the social and economic security of women in the state. Modi expressed his satisfaction with the new BJP-led government in Odisha for extending the benefits of the Subhadra Yojana to over one crore mothers and sisters in the state. As part of the scheme, each beneficiary will receive a total of Rs.50,000 in installments, directly deposited into their bank accounts. He also congratulated the beneficiaries, noting that they are now linked to the RBI’s digital currency project.
The PM further said that all promises made during the 2024 elections have been fulfilled and mentioned the opening of all four gates of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the opening of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the temple, and the provision of an MSP of Rs.3,100 per quintal for paddy procurement from farmers in the state. Modi assured that Odisha will witness significant development in road and rail infrastructure over the next five years under the double-engine government, and the state’s middle-class population will greatly benefit. He laid the foundation stone and dedicated several railway and national highway projects worth over Rs.3900 crores on the occasion and released the Subhadra guidelines booklet. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi thanked the Prime Minister for launching the Subhadra Yojana and described the day as historic, as the program was unveiled on Modi’s birthday. Majhi, speaking on behalf of his council of ministers, MPs, MLAs, and 4.5 crore people of Odisha, conveyed best wishes and greetings to the Prime Minister on his special day.
He added that they were fortunate to have the Prime Minister launch the Subhadra Yojana and lay the foundation stones for several national highway and railway projects in Odisha on this auspicious occasion. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said, “Subhadra Yojana is PM Modi’s guarantee and the BJP’s commitment.” She mentioned that the scheme aims to benefit one crore women, with 72 lakh women already completing the registration process. Present at the mega event were Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Deputy Chief Ministers K. V. Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan,Jual Oram and Anapurna Devi, along with Ministers, BJP MPs and MLAs. At the inauguration, over 25 lakh women received the first installment of Rs.5,000 in their bank accounts. The beneficiaries will receive Rs.10,000 in two installments each year for five years, amounting to a total financial assistance of Rs.50,000 between 2024-25 and 2028-29. The funds will be credited to beneficiaries’ accounts on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and International Women’s Day.