PM likely to visit Odisha on Sept 17 to launch Subhadra Yojana: Pradhan

BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Odisha on September 17 to launch the 'Subhadra Yojana', an ambitious scheme of the BJP government in the state for women, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday.

Speaking to media persons after visiting Jagannath temple in Puri, the Union Education minister said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and two Deputy CMs had invited Prime Minister to launch the Subhadra Yojana in Odisha on September 17 and the PM had agreed to it.

"During election, for the empowerment of women, we had promised to provide Rs 50,000 to each woman and the Odia people have imposed their faith on us. In the meanwhile, the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government in Odisha has published the SOP for the rollout of the scheme," Pradhan said.

He said that more than one crore eligible women of 26-60 years age group, under BPL category would get Rs 10,000 in a year for five years under the scheme.

On the inventory and maintenance of Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath temple in Puri, the Union minister said on the request from the state government, a high-level team of ASI will inspect the treasury of the 12th century shrine soon.

The Odisha government will make an inventory of all jewellery and other valuables stored in the Ratna Bhandar and will compare the latest list with the previous list, he added.

The BJP government will undertake all measures to develop Puri as a modern spiritual city, Pradhan said.

The Union minister who hails from the state arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to Odisha.