Bhubaneswar, Oct 9 (Reporter) The women empowerment initiatives of the previous BJD government were limited to mere sloganeering, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Wednesday. Majhi criticized the BJD government, led by Naveen Patnaik, for failing to take concrete steps to empower women. The Chief Minister made these remarks while distributing the second phase of financial assistance to 35 lakh women beneficiaries under the Subhadra Yojana, during a function held at the Chhau ground in Baripada. The Chief Minister described the Subhadra Yojana as a flagship program of the BJP government aimed at empowering women in the state. According to Majhi, the BJD government had only engaged in money-lending activities under the guise of women empowerment and was more focused on event management than on actual support. Addressing a large gathering, Majhi said that 35 lakh beneficiaries received their first installment of financial aid under the Subhadra Yojana in this second phase. To date, he noted, Rs 3,000 crore has been distributed to Subhadra Yojana beneficiaries, including Rs 1,750 crore disbursed on Wednesday alone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Subhadra Yojana, the largest welfare scheme of the Odisha government, on his birthday on September 17. In the first phase, 25.11 lakh women beneficiaries received financial assistance under the scheme. The BJP, in its election manifesto, had promised to introduce the Subhadra Yojana to benefit women across the state. Under this scheme, each beneficiary will receive Rs 10,000 per year, paid in two installments, for five years. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who was present at the function, described the Subhadra Yojana as a historic initiative. She mentioned that over 1.6 crore forms for registration under the scheme have been distributed so far, with 1.5 crore forms already registered...////...