Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to enhance transparency and inclusivity in welfare programs, the Odisha government has decided to involve college-going girls in the feedback collection process of the Subhadra Yojana.
The decision was taken during the third meeting of the governing body of the “Subhadra Society”, held at Lok Seva Bhavan under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner-cum- Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
The State government, in partnership with IIM Sambalpur, will integrate female college students into a large-scale beneficiary survey aimed at collecting insights on the impact and effectiveness of the Subhadra assistance scheme. The initiative is expected to add a grassroots perspective to the evaluation process and foster civic participation among youth.
Another key highlight of the meeting was the launch of the “Sabas Subhadra” initiative. Women who had initially enrolled in the Subhadra Yojana but later opted out after realizing they were no longer eligible—either due to improved financial conditions or otherwise—will be acknowledged for their honesty and social responsibility. These voluntary withdrawals have helped redirect support to more deserving candidates, and the state will now formally recognize their contribution under this new label.
The meeting, attended by senior officials including Finance Principal Secretary Saswat Mishra, I&PR Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Women and Child Development Principal Secretary Shubha Sharma, and SSEPD Commissioner R.S. Gopalan, also reviewed the expenditure incurred in 2024–25 and approved plans for 2025–26.
Deliberations included reviews of complaints lodged via the Subhadra portal, steps taken for resolution, and plans for extending the functioning of help desks for another three months. The Subhadra helpline will also continue to operate during this time.
In tribal-dominated districts, the government will assess the qualitative impact of the Subhadra Yojana, while plans are in place to equip eligible women beneficiaries with skill development training in collaboration with Mission Shakti and the Skill Development and Technical Education Department.
The Development Commissioner emphasized the need for a stronger operational framework for the Subhadra Yojana and recommended further steps to ensure the economic and overall empowerment of its beneficiaries.
