1st Instalment Of Subhadra To Be Disbursed On Sept 17; Poll Gimmick With Limited Benefit, Says BJD

Bhubaneswar: The first instalment of Mohan Majhi government’s much-touted Subhadra Yojana will be released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17.

“The instalment due for Raksha Bhandan will be disbursed by the PM on his birthday,” Deputy CM Pravati Parida said during a party programme in Puri on Saturday while countering Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik’s criticism of the guidelines for the scheme.

She alleged that the BJD is peddling lies to cover up its own discrepancies. “Since the previous government cheated people by paying only Rs 4,000 of the promised Rs 10,000 under KALIA scheme, they apprehend that we too won’t be able to keep our promise to the women of the state pertaining to Subhadra,” she alleged.

The Deputy CM clarified that 1.08 crore women have been included in the beneficiary list and it will be extended to widows, Divyang women, and women artists and students, who are already receiving allowances and scholarships respectively. “If a woman wishes to register for the scheme, she can do so through a self-declaration process, which will require approval from the local MLA. Additionally, women who turn 21 by July 1, 2024, will be eligible. Those who will turn 21 by March 8, 2025, will also be included,” she added.

On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had announced that a total of Rs 10,000 per annum will be paid in two instalments of Rs 5000 each on Rakhi Purnima Day and International Women’s Day (March 8) and an eligible woman beneficiary will get Rs 50,000 in total in five years.

OPPOSITION CRITICISM

Naveen had earlier accused the BJP of reneging on its promise of providing Rs 50,000 to every woman. “Of the 4.5 crore population of Odisha, nearly half of around 2.25 crore are women. But the scheme will cover one crore women. Is this the guarantee that the party was talking about?” he asked.

The LoP further stated said that the women of the state had pinned high hopes on the scheme and many had planned to invest it in some good work or do business. “What will they do with only Rs 5,000 in six months which comes to around Rs 800 per month?” he further questioned.

The former chief minister claimed the BJP government has taken a loan of Rs 50,000 crore from various sources to implement the guarantees given by the party before elections. “All of us will have to repay the loan,” he added.

Also Read:  Subhadra Yojana In Odisha: Betrayal After Promise!

BJD MP Sulata Deo called it an election gimmick. “This is just another election ‘jumla,’ similar to previous promises like 2 crore jobs and 15 lakh in bank accounts. Initially, it was promised that every woman would receive Rs 50,000 in two years, but now only one out of three women will get the amount, and that too only Rs 5,000. Over five years, this totals Rs 50,000, which amounts to just Rs 10,000 per year. What will women do with such a small amount?” she asked.

She further claimed that this money would be taken back from women with interest. “You cannot build a castle over a pack of lies,” she added.

THE PROMISE

In the run up to the simultaneous polls to the state assembly and Lok Sabha in May and June this year, the BJP had promised Rs 50,000 cash voucher to women to be given over a period of two years under the scheme.

Last month, the BJP government allocated Rs 10,000 crore for the scheme in the 2024-25 budget, and added that the fund allocation will increase, if needed.

YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE…..

Of the 4.74 crore people of the state, around 1.14 crore are in the age group of 21 and 60 years and around 30% have been excluded due to different criteria.

>> The date of birth (DoB) of the applicants must not be earlier than July 2, 1964, and not later than July 1, 2003. DoB recorded in Aadhaar card would be taken as the final date for the calculation of age.

>> Women with a family income of over Rs 2.5 lakh and not covered under the national or state food security schemes are not eligible for Subhadra.

>> Elected public representatives in urban local body (ULB) and panchayat (PRI) will be excluded, but ward members and councillors are eligible for the scheme.

>> Employees, regular or contractual, in the state government and Centre, PSU, board or local body and those receiving pension after retirement will also be not covered.

>> Elected, nominated or appointed representatives in any government or PSU or board, owners of more than 5 acres of irrigated land or 10 acres of non-irrigated land and four-wheeler motor vehicle can not avail the scheme.

>> Workers receiving honorarium and those engaged through outsourcing agencies would be considered.