Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has unveiled a series of welfare schemes targeting women voters in the months leading up to the state assembly elections, following a strategy that has proven successful for the BJP and NDA in other states.
Here’s recent policy changes in Bihar:
The government initiated its campaign three months ago with significant policy changes. On June 24, the Cabinet approved increasing monthly pensions for elderly, widows, and disabled persons from ₹400 to ₹1,100. The first installment worth ₹1,227 crore was disbursed on July 11 to 1.11 crore beneficiaries across six schemes, with approximately 54.5% being women.
In July, Bihar imposed domicile requirements for the existing 35% women’s reservation in government jobs, restricting benefits to Bihar residents only. On July 30, the CM also increased ASHA workers’ monthly honorarium from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 and doubled Mamata workers’ incentives from ₹300 to ₹600 per delivery.
Bihar Govt. to provide employment to women
The centerpiece announcement came on August 29 with the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, allocating ₹20,000 crore for women’s self-employment. Under this scheme, one woman per family receives an initial ₹10,000 grant to start a business. After six months of successful operation, beneficiaries can access additional funding up to ₹2 lakh for expansion.
The government plans to develop local “haat bazaars” where women entrepreneurs can sell products. Officials announced the first tranche distribution for September.
Banking Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released ₹105 crore on September 2 as initial capital for Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Credit Co-operative Federation Limited, a dedicated bank for women’s self-help groups. This initiative aims to provide rural women linked to Bihar’s Jeevika Self Help Groups easier access to affordable credit.
Electoral Significance in Bihar
Women voters have shown higher turnout rates in recent elections. In 2020 assembly polls, 59.69% of registered women voted compared to 54.68% of men. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections showed similar patterns with 65.78% female turnout versus 65.80% male turnout.
CM Nitish Kumar has consistently courted women voters since 2005, implementing 50% reservation in local bodies (2006), free bicycles for schoolgirls, and graduation-linked financial assistance under various schemes.
