Exposed: 157 Men Attempt Fraudulent Claims in Subhadra Yojana – Odisha’s Women-Only Welfare Scheme
Bhubaneswar, January 22, 2025 – In a dramatic revelation that has shaken the integrity of Odisha’s flagship women empowerment scheme, Subhadra Yojana, 157 male applicants were caught attempting to sneak into the list of beneficiaries. The scam was unearthed during a thorough scrutiny of application forms, exposing how some individuals tried to manipulate the system designed exclusively for women.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, addressing the media, disclosed the startling details of the irregularities. “During the verification process, Aadhaar-linked bank data revealed fraudulent applications. Many of these had identical names and spellings for both the applicant and their Aadhaar-linked nominee,” said Parida. This anomaly raised suspicions, as Odisha’s unique cultural naming conventions often see names used interchangeably for both men and women. However, the Deputy CM clarified that despite the ambiguity in names, the scheme’s rules explicitly bar male applicants.
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The Fallout of the Fraud
The exposed fraudulent applications have now been eliminated from the scheme, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency. “It’s baffling that men would apply for a scheme clearly meant for women. Our verification processes are robust and designed to catch such discrepancies,” stated Parida.
This development has put a spotlight on the efficiency of Aadhaar-based verification and the significance of stringent e-KYC processes. The Deputy CM assured that the government is taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Massive Reach of Subhadra Yojana
Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2024, Subhadra Yojana has become a cornerstone of the BJP’s commitment to women’s welfare in Odisha. Named after Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, the scheme was a key promise in the party’s election manifesto and aims to provide financial aid to eligible women between the ages of 21 and 60 years.
Each beneficiary is entitled to receive a total of ₹50,000 over five years (2024-2029), with the first instalment of ₹5,000 directly transferred to the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of 25.11 lakh women during the inauguration ceremony. Notably, the scheme also provides a Subhadra Debit Card for ease of transactions and promotes digital inclusion among beneficiaries.
With over 1 crore applications already submitted, the scheme continues to grow. However, a backlog of nearly 2 lakh applications remains, primarily due to challenges in verifying women who have migrated outside Odisha for work. Parida encouraged such women to apply promptly, stating, “Our government is committed to reaching every eligible beneficiary, regardless of where they are.”
Targeting Last-Mile Beneficiaries
The scheme’s fourth phase aims to include over 20 lakh women, focusing on those in rural and tribal districts like Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Balangir, Koraput, and Angul. Migrant women and other last-mile beneficiaries are being prioritized to ensure no one is left behind.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in identifying and assisting women who might have been overlooked in the earlier phases. Our goal is inclusivity,” said Parida.
Eligibility and Exclusions
Subhadra Yojana is a landmark scheme, but it comes with clearly defined eligibility criteria to ensure the funds reach those who need them most. Women from economically well-off families, government employees, and income-tax payees are excluded. Additionally, women receiving ₹1,500 or more per month (or ₹18,000 annually) under other government schemes are not eligible. This ensures no duplication of benefits and focuses on uplifting economically weaker sections.
Key highlights of the scheme include:
- Mandatory e-KYC for all beneficiaries.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-enabled single-holder bank accounts.
- No deadline for registration, making it a continuous process to accommodate all eligible women.
Government’s Commitment to Women Empowerment
The Odisha government has earmarked ₹55,825 crore for Subhadra Yojana over five years, with an allocation of ₹10,000 crore for 2024-25 alone. This massive financial commitment underscores the state’s dedication to women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation.
Deputy CM Parida highlighted the scheme’s transformative potential, saying, “Subhadra Yojana is not just a welfare scheme; it’s a step towards empowering women, giving them financial independence, and building a stronger, self-reliant Odisha.”
A Wake-Up Call for Stringent Oversight
The exposure of fraudulent claims has prompted discussions about the need for more stringent oversight in welfare schemes. While Aadhaar-based verification proved effective in catching the discrepancies, experts suggest enhanced data analytics and cross-referencing with other government databases could further strengthen the system.
As the scheme progresses, the government remains vigilant against fraud and committed to ensuring that only the deserving benefit from Subhadra Yojana. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public welfare initiatives.