BHUBANESWAR: Marking the occasion of International Women’s Day, Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, on March 8, released the fourth instalment of financial assistance under the Subhadra Yojana during a state-level programme held in Puri. In this phase, more than 1.12 crore women beneficiaries received financial assistance directly in their bank accounts.
A total of Rs 5,106.33 crore was transferred to 1,12,12,665 beneficiaries, with each woman receiving Rs 5,000 under the scheme aimed at strengthening women’s economic independence. Among them, 4,20,854 beneficiaries are from Puri district alone.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said that within just one and a half years, the Subhadra Yojana has emerged as a powerful messenger of socio-economic transformation for women in the state. He expressed confidence that more women would join this journey of empowerment in the coming years.
Extending greetings to the women present at the event on International Women’s Day, the Chief Minister highlighted that the scheme has played a vital role in empowering women across Odisha. According to him, the initiative has not only provided financial assistance but has also given women a distinct identity and confidence to pursue economic activities independently.
“The Subhadra Yojana has become an important source of confidence and self-reliance for women in Odisha,” Majhi said, adding that the programme reflects the state government’s commitment to strengthening the role of women in the social and economic development of the state.
Praising the success stories of women beneficiaries, he said many women across various districts have utilised the financial assistance to start small enterprises and livelihood activities. Several beneficiaries have successfully ventured into mushroom cultivation, poultry farming, bamboo-based businesses and other small-scale entrepreneurial activities, thereby creating sustainable sources of income for their families.
The Chief Minister also referred to findings from a survey conducted by the Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur. According to the survey report, 25.52 per cent of beneficiaries used the Subhadra assistance to start business activities, while 35.7 per cent utilised the funds for household needs. In addition, many women used the financial support to repay loans, increase savings and invest in skill development, which has helped them gain greater respect and recognition within their families and communities.
Majhi further emphasised that women will play a crucial role in achieving the state’s long-term development goals. He said Odisha is working towards building a “Samruddha Odisha” by 2036 and contributing to the vision of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, with women at the forefront of this transformation.
Highlighting the state’s achievements in women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister noted that around 17 lakh women in Odisha have already become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, a term used for women earning more than ₹1 lakh annually through self-employment and livelihood initiatives. The government has set an ambitious target to create 60 lakh Lakhpati Didis and 10 lakh “Millionaire Didis” by 2047.
He also underlined that the state government is implementing several initiatives to improve women’s education, health and economic security. Among the major welfare initiatives mentioned were Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which aim to ensure safety, welfare and financial stability for women and girls.
In his concluding remarks, Majhi said women’s empowerment is not merely a slogan for his government but a firm commitment. He stressed that the confidence, dedication and hard work of women will pave the way for building a stronger and more prosperous Odisha.
The Chief Minister also strongly condemned the disrespect shown recently towards Droupadi Murmu in West Bengal, stating that such an act is not only an insult to the President of India but also to the entire nation and the dignity of women.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also unveiled the Subhadra Review Report prepared by IIM Sambalpur, along with a coffee-table book published by the Department of Women and Child Development and a booklet on the prevention of child marriage.
On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women and Child Development Pravati Parida extended her greetings to women across the state. She said that while the country is advancing towards women-led development, women in Odisha have already moved ahead with the blessings of “Maa Subhadra.”
Parida noted that the Subhadra Yojana has given a new dimension to women’s empowerment in the state. She pointed out that more than Rs 15,000 crore has already been distributed in the first three phases, and the fourth instalment further reflects the government’s strong commitment towards women’s development.
She also thanked Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for introducing the HPV vaccine initiative and urged Subhadra beneficiaries to ensure that girls aged 14 to 15 years are vaccinated to protect them from serious health risks.
Speaking at the event, Sambit Patra, Member of Parliament from Puri, said the Odisha government’s initiatives for women’s empowerment are unique and progressive. He expressed confidence that Odisha will emerge as a leading state in India in creating more “Lakhpati Didis.”
Several other public representatives and dignitaries were present at the programme, including Brahmagiri MLA Upasana Mohapatra, Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattanayak, Satyabadi MLA Om Prakash Mishra and Director of the Women and Child Development Department Manisha Banerjee.
District-level events were also organised across Odisha, where ministers and public representatives participated in similar programmes to mark the distribution of the fourth installment of the Subhadra Yojana and celebrate International Women’s Day.
