In a significant step toward advancing women’s financial independence, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday credited ₹10,000 each into the bank accounts of 2.1 million women as part of the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme. The initiative, which began in September, aims to provide direct financial support to one woman from every family across Bihar, helping them start small ventures or pursue income-generating work.
With this latest transfer of ₹2,100 crore, the total number of beneficiaries under the scheme has now reached 12.1 million. Earlier phases of the program saw 7.5 million women receive funds on September 26 during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Kumar, followed by another 2.5 million on October 3.
The recent distribution ceremony took place at the Chief Minister’s residence in Patna and was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with senior cabinet members, including Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar.
As part of the scheme, beneficiaries can also apply for additional financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh over a six-month period to expand their income-generating ventures. The Bihar government has allocated ₹20,000 crore for the program, aiming to reach a total of 20 million women in the coming months.
Speaking at the event, Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar emphasized how women’s empowerment has transformed Bihar’s social fabric. “Today, Bihar leads the nation in the number of women police officers, and it was at women’s insistence that the state implemented prohibition. Through the Chief Minister’s Employment Scheme and other measures, women in Bihar are becoming stronger in education, economy, society, and politics,” he said.
Eligibility for the scheme is open to women between the ages of 18 and 60 who are part of a Jeevika Self-Help Group and are not income taxpayers, either individually or through their spouses. Beneficiaries can invest the funds in a variety of small enterprises such as tailoring, dairy farming, beauty parlours, grocery stores, food stalls, mobile shops, or e-rickshaw services.
The state government has announced additional fund transfer dates for October 17, 24, and 31, as well as throughout November and early December. Officials confirmed that applications are still being received, with more than 14 million women already registered through Bihar’s Jeevika network.
Positioned as one of the state’s largest women-oriented financial empowerment drives, the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme underscores Bihar’s growing focus on gender equality and the pivotal role of women in the state’s economic and political landscape ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
