Context:
Recently, the Prime Minister of India launched ‘SUBHADRA’, the flagship Scheme of Government of Odisha, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
SUBHADRA Scheme:
- Naming: Named after Goddess Subhadra, associated with the deity Lord Jagannath of Odisha.
- Beneficiaries: Women aged 21-60 years, specifically those not from affluent backgrounds or receiving significant government aid, are eligible.
- Financial Benefit: Eligible women receive Rs. 50,000 distributed over five years (2024-2029) in semi-annual installments of Rs. 10,000 each.
Operational Mechanics:
- Direct Deposit: Funds are directly deposited into the beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked and DBT-enabled bank accounts.
- Digital Verification: Enrollment requires mandatory e-KYC verification.
- Incentives: Special incentives of Rs. 500 are awarded to the top 100 digitally active beneficiaries per gram panchayat and urban area.
- Exclusions: Excludes women from high-income families, government employees, tax payers, and those receiving Rs. 1,500 monthly or Rs. 18,000 annually from other government programs.
Enrollment Process:
- Continuous Registration: No deadline for registration, allowing ongoing enrollment until all eligible women are registered.
- Accessibility: The inclusion of a Subhadra Debit Card to facilitate financial transactions.
