Odisha government cites its commitment to Subhadra Yojana, not its betrayal of women – ThePrint – PTIFeed

Bhubaneswar, Sept 3 (PTI) – The Odisha state government on Tuesday said its flagship programme 'Subhadra' was a “commitment” to women and not a “betrayal” as claimed by opposition parties BJD and Congress.

This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is in charge of women and child development, during a discussion on the 'Subhadra' Yojana in the Assembly.

Parida said the opposition parties had become intolerant after the BJP government in the state managed to implement such a “revolutionary” programme for the welfare of women within the first 100 days.

Parida said that over 10 million women of the state would receive Rs 10,000 per year for five years under the Subhadra scheme.

Each beneficiary will receive a total of Rs 50,000 over five years, she said.

BJD member Arun Kumar Sahoo, however, criticised the state government for including women between the ages of 21 and 60 in the programme, even though the BJP had announced in its election manifesto that it would provide financial assistance to all women in the state.

“We do not understand why women between the ages of 18 and 21 are excluded from this programme. Women have the right to vote at the age of 18, but they are denied the benefits of the government's women's programme,” said Sahoo.

Although the BJP claims it has only been in power for 90 days, Sahoo claims it has cleverly excluded women below 21 and above 60.

“The 59-year-old woman gets only an instalment of Rs 5,000. Is this women empowerment?” he asked.

Congresswoman Sofia Firdous wondered how the economic situation of women would improve if they received only Rs 800 per month under this programme.

“What can a woman do with Rs 10,000 a year in two installments?” she asked.

The Odisha government is all set to launch the Subhadra Yojana on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birth anniversary on September 17, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said at a party function here. PTI AAM SBN AAM SBN

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