Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday flagged off the Subhadra Yojana ‘Sachetana Rath’ at a function here to sensitise people about the scheme and promote women empowerment.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida, local MLA Babu Singh, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das and several other dignitaries were among others present at the function.
As per the government decisions, the Sachetana Ratha will criss-cross the hook and corner of every area of the state till September 16 and sensitise the women about the scheme. On September 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch the programme at a function in Odisha.
Launching the awareness programme, the Chief Minister said the scheme would help in the empowerment of women, take the state on the path of development and play a role in making the women financially independent.
Under the scheme, the government will provide Rs 10,000 to every eligible woman per annum in two phases for five years.
Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das criticised the government for providing Rs 10,000 to women in two instalments instead of giving Rs 50,000 at a time as promised by the BJP in its election manifesto. She said Rs 5000 would not help the women in any way and make them financially independent.
Replying to the Mayor’s comment, Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida said Rs 5,000 given to women is like an encouragement gift and it would help them to dream big.