SUBHADRA Scheme Launched: Rs 50,000 Financial Support for Women Over 5 Years

Key Highlights

• Rs 50,000 financial aid to women over five years
• Benefits for 1 crore women in Odisha
• Direct bank transfers linked to RBI's digital currency
• Infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,800 crore initiated

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the 'SUBHADRA' scheme, a significant initiative aimed at supporting over 1 crore women in Odisha. The scheme was launched during a grand event on September 17, 2024, in Bhubaneswar, marking a new chapter in women’s empowerment.

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Key Highlights of the SUBHADRA Scheme

Under the SUBHADRA scheme, women aged between 21 and 60 years will receive Rs 50,000 over five years. The money will be transferred directly to their bank accounts, ensuring financial support and inclusion. This initiative is linked to the pilot phase of the Reserve Bank of India's digital currency, further promoting digital financial inclusion among women.

The scheme aims to uplift women economically, helping them gain independence and stability, while also promoting the government's goal of inclusive growth. At the event, PM Modi symbolically transferred funds to the accounts of over 10 lakh women, marking the start of this transformative program.

Infrastructure Development

In addition to the launch of the SUBHADRA scheme, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for various infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,800 crore. These projects include:

• Railway projects worth Rs 2,800 crore to improve connectivity in the region.
• National highways worth Rs 1,000 crore are aimed at boosting the state's transportation network.

These projects are expected to contribute to Odisha’s economic growth, making it easier for people and goods to move across the region.

Importance of the Scheme for Women

PM Modi emphasized the significance of women’s empowerment for the country's development. He stated that initiatives like SUBHADRA ensure that women play a key role in shaping the future of the state and the nation. This scheme, launched during the festive season of Ganesh Utsav and Vishwakarma Puja, symbolizes a positive step toward a brighter future for women.

Modi also highlighted the role of Odisha’s leadership and public workers in spreading awareness about the scheme, ensuring that more women benefit from it.

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PM Modi’s Broader Commitments to Odisha

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to address various developments in Odisha over the last decade. He emphasized the role of the "double-engine government," referring to the BJP’s leadership at both the central and state levels, in driving rapid progress across sectors such as healthcare and housing.

Modi pointed out that funding from the central government to Odisha has tripled, allowing for the successful implementation of key schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

PMAY and Griha Pravesh Initiatives

The event also saw the distribution of housing benefits under the PMAY-G scheme. Nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries across 14 states received their first installment of assistance, while 26 lakh families celebrated their Griha Pravesh (housewarming) for newly constructed homes.

PM Modi also launched the Awaas+ 2024 App, designed to help identify households eligible for housing assistance under PMAY-G.

Also Read: PM Awas Yojana: 1,13,400 New Houses Approved, 46,000 Beneficiaries Receive Keys

Women-Centric Focus

The Prime Minister restated that empowering women is critical to building a strong and prosperous society. He stated that schemes like SUBHADRA and PMAY, which prioritize women as beneficiaries, provide economic security and social dignity.

Modi further emphasized the creation of Lakhpati Didis and increasing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farmers as part of the BJP government’s commitment to improving the lives of women and rural households.

Future Prospects for Odisha

PM Modi praised Odisha’s immense potential in areas like tourism and mining, stating that the state’s rich resources and hardworking youth will play a crucial role in India's economic growth. He expressed his vision for further development in Odisha by promising enhanced connectivity through projects such as the Puri-Konark railway line and the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail system.

The Prime Minister’s visit also underscored his ongoing dedication to fulfilling electoral promises and driving infrastructure and social welfare projects across the state. His message to the people of Odisha was clear: the government is committed to creating opportunities that will transform the lives of its citizens, particularly women, through initiatives like SUBHADRA.

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CMV360 Says

The launch of the SUBHADRA scheme is a monumental step toward women’s empowerment in Odisha. By providing direct financial support to over 1 crore women, the scheme aims to foster economic independence and uplift women across the state. Coupled with significant infrastructure developments, this initiative reflects the government’s broader focus on inclusive growth, ensuring that the benefits of progress reach every corner of Odisha.