Protest erupts in Odisha over slow Aadhaar update process for Subhadra Yojana

Bhubaneswar, Sept 5: Angry locals on Thursday blocked National Highway-57 near Bhograi in Odisha’s Balasore district due to long queues at centers for updating Aadhaar details for the Subhadra Yojana.

At the Bhograi post office, people were seen waiting in long lines early in the morning to update their Aadhaar information with current phone numbers. Some women reported waiting since Wednesday night, with one stating, “We’ve been here for four days, only to be told to come back the next day.”

The delays were exacerbated by the need for corrections in Aadhaar cards, such as date of birth, surname, and phone numbers. Beneficiaries feared that incorrect details could lead to their claims being rejected.

The situation was further complicated by centers processing Aadhaar corrections for only 50 people per day. Police were deployed to manage the frustrated crowd at various centers, and the lack of facilities at local panchayats added to the difficulties for both beneficiaries and staff.

In response to the chaos, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida stated on Wednesday that there is no deadline for enrolling in the Subhadra Yojana, and the enrollment process will continue until all eligible women are accommodated.