However, the people have the right to know the authenticity and accuracy of the scheme that ostensibly, among other factors, contributed for the downfall of the Naveen Patnaik government.
First, Subhadra Yojana is completely a gift of the BJP government of Odisha to women of poorer sections. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said during his election campaigning that the women will use Subhadra Yojana money to buy their essential articles, including study stationeries for their children.
Some leaders of the Opposition, including Pramila Mallick of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), were heard saying that the Rs 50,000 given in five years in 10 equal installments – once on Raksha Bandhan day on the second time on International Women’s Day (March 8) — is a gimmick and would serve no purpose at all.
Mallick also went on to say that the money would not come without any help for the women as they cannot use it for their income augmentation. Her observation lacks any essence as it is already discussed that Subhadra Yojana money is just a gift, — not any seed money for investment or starting any venture.
Some others mistake Subhadra Yojana as a programe under the Mission Shakti initiative. Truth remains that Mission Shakti department of the Odisha government rolls out schemes and programmes which aim at economic empowerment of women by executing works that generate employment and help augment incomes by other livelihood options.
In politics, one belonging to a particular party cannot expect that all his good work will escape scrutiny and criticism. Noble initiatives of Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose have also been and even today being criticised. Hence, the Mohan Majhi government needs to put up a brave front through its effective voices and mechanism to defend the Subhadra Yojana. Also, the BJP state leaders have a role to play to see that the critics don’t get away with all the political mileage just by badmouthing an outstanding initiative.
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