New Delhi: In a landmark move to empower women entrepreneurs, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to disburse the first installment of ₹10,000 to 50 lakh women across the state on Monday, injecting a whopping ₹5,000 crore into the rural and urban economies.
The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, approved by the state cabinet in August, promises to spark self-employment opportunities, helping women launch or expand small businesses and reduce migration for jobs.
The event kicks off at 11 am with a state-level programme in Patna, where Kumar will transfer funds directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Rural Development Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh has instructed District Magistrates to celebrate the occasion as a festival at cluster, village, and panchayat levels, with live telecasts ensuring widespread participation. “This is not just financial aid; it’s a celebration of women’s potential,” Singh said in a directive to officials.
A Cascade Of Celebrations Across Bihar
The rollout is meticulously planned for maximum reach:
District Level: In all 38 districts, DMs will preside over events attended by at least 1,000 self-help group (SHG) women, local representatives, and officials.
Block Level: Across 534 blocks, Block Development Officers (BDOs) will host gatherings with 500 SHG members each.
Cluster Level: At 1,680 Jeevika clusters, 200 women per site will join the festivities.
Village Level: In 70,000 gram organisations, 100 SHG-linked women will view live streams and participate.
Jeevika SHGs, the backbone of the initiative, will drive community engagement, turning the day into a statewide empowerment drive.
Igniting Dreams: The Scheme’s Core Purpose
Aimed at economically weaker women, the yojana provides seed capital for ventures in agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, tailoring, weaving, and more.
Kumar affirmed in a recent post on X that the initiative will not only uplift women but also strengthen entire families, reducing the need for them to leave Bihar for work. By prioritising one woman per family, we foster inclusive growth in both rural and urban areas.
Who Qualifies And How to Apply?
The eligibility is straightforward:
Women aged 18–60 from families without income tax payers or government employees (regular or contractual).
Unmarried adult women without living parents also qualify.
All Jeevika SHG members are automatically eligible.
Rural Areas: SHG women submit consolidated forms at gram organisations; non-members must first join via a special meeting.
Urban Areas: Apply online at www.brlps.in; existing SHG members skip this step.
Over 1.05 crore Jeevika ‘didis’ have applied, with 1.4 lakh more seeking group membership — a testament to the scheme’s appeal.
As funds flow into accounts today, Bihar edges closer to gender parity in entrepreneurship. Will this yojana rewrite the state’s economic narrative? Only time— and the women’s ventures — will tell.