The Odisha government has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the beneficiaries of the Subhadra Yojana, aiming to include eligible individuals who were previously excluded and weed out those who do not qualify.
This move comes amid complaints from many women who missed out on recent payouts, signalling a push for greater transparency and accuracy in the welfare scheme.
The Women and Child Development Department has issued directives to streamline the process. A letter has been sent to the Transport Department requesting data on beneficiaries who own four-wheeler vehicles, as vehicle ownership is a key criterion for eligibility exclusion. Similarly, the Food Supplies Department has been instructed to provide information on deceased beneficiaries to ensure the list is updated and accurate.
Additionally, authorities have mandated a re-verification of data for women who have registered and sold paddy, cross-checking their details to confirm eligibility. These steps are designed to safeguard the scheme’s integrity and ensure that genuine beneficiaries receive the intended support.
The initiative follows the recent distribution of the third instalment of ₹5,000 to over 1 crore women on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. However, several beneficiaries reported not receiving the funds, prompting the government to expedite the verification process, which must be completed within 15 days.
Officials emphasise that this scrutiny will help identify and rectify discrepancies, ultimately benefiting the most deserving women under the Subhadra Yojana, a flagship program aimed at empowering women through financial assistance.
