New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana on Friday, marking a significant intervention in women's economic empowerment in Bihar.
In the scheme’s first phase, Rs 10,000 will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across the state. This is aimed at facilitating self-employment and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
The initiative, approved by the Bihar Cabinet on August 29, has a total financial outlay of Rs 7,500 crore. The scheme is being implemented via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and seeks to boost income-generating activities among women, particularly those from economically weaker sections. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will attend the launch event in Patna, as per a government statement.
Under the scheme, one eligible woman per household will receive Rs 10,000 as seed capital to initiate or expand small-scale enterprises such as tailoring, animal husbandry, agriculture, handicrafts, or petty trade. Based on performance, an additional assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh may be extended within six months to scale up these ventures.
The scheme is targeted at rural and urban poor families and is designed to reach women from households without any government employee or income taxpayer. Women aged between 18 and 60, and those associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), are eligible. Unmarried adult women without surviving parents are also entitled to benefit.
The scheme has seen a robust response from across the state. So far, over 1.07 crore rural women have submitted applications, along with 4.66 lakh urban applicants. Additionally, 1.4 lakh women have newly enrolled in SHGs to become eligible.
The programme is being implemented through JEEVIKA, the Bihar State Rural Livelihoods Mission, ensuring effective last-mile delivery, said the statement.
