The Odisha Government will mark the completion of two years of the SUBHADRA Scheme on September 17, with Deputy Chief Minister and Women & Child Development Minister Pravati Parida appealing to people across the state to light lamps in their homes from 6 PM to 7 PM.
Addressing a press conference at the Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday, Parida highlighted the achievements of the scheme over the past two years and called September 17 a day dedicated to women’s empowerment, dignity and self-reliance.
According to the Deputy Chief Minister, financial assistance of Rs. 25,800 crore has so far been transferred directly into the bank accounts of more than 1.03 crore women beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in five instalments under the SUBHADRA Scheme.
She further stated that assessments by IIM Sambalpur, the State Bank of India (SBI) and NITI Aayog indicate that more than 26 per cent of women in Odisha have become self-reliant through entrepreneurship as a result of the scheme.
To mark the occasion, Rangoli competitions and special celebrations will be organised at ICDS projects, Anganwadi Centres and CDPO offices across the state.
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s focus on nutrition and women and child welfare. She said the Women & Child Development Department is working towards achieving a 100 per cent malnutrition-free Odisha through the Poshan Abhiyan, with the broader objective of building a “Nourished and Developed Odisha”.
Appealing to people to participate in the lamp-lighting initiative, Parida said the collective celebration would reflect the spirit of women’s empowerment, dignity and self-reliance associated with the SUBHADRA Scheme.