Mahila Rojgar Yojana: In a major step towards empowering women in Bihar, the first installment of funds under the Nitish Kumar government’s “Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme” has been transferred to beneficiaries’ accounts. On Monday, an amount of ₹10,000 each was transferred directly to bank accounts through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), helping millions of women start or expand their businesses. A total of ₹5,000 crore is to be transferred under this ambitious scheme.
First ₹10,000, followed by a loan of up to ₹2 lakh
The “Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme” is not limited to one-time assistance, but is based on a phased financial assistance model. In the first phase, women have been given an initial amount of ₹10,000. Subsequently, depending on the progress of their businesses, they will be provided with loans of ₹15,000, ₹75,000, or up to a maximum of ₹2 lakh. These loans come with a concessional interest rate of 12% per annum, with a flexible repayment period of 1 to 3 years, so that women are not burdened with any extra burden.
Over 1 crore women have applied
This scheme is only for women who are associated with Jeevika Self-Help Groups (SHGs). According to data, over 1.05 crore Jeevika Didis have applied for the scheme so far, while over 1.40 lakh women have recently applied to join the group. This shows the enthusiasm among women for this scheme. Even in urban areas, over 4.66 lakh Jeevika Didis have applied.
This is the application process
The application process for the Mahila Rojgar Yojana is very simple. In rural areas, women who are already associated with SHGs can submit their applications to their village organization. However, women who are not yet part of a group must first fill out a form at the village organization and apply to join the group. Women living in urban areas can apply online by visiting the Jeevika website (www.brlps.in), but women who are already associated with SHGs are not required to apply online.
What is Jeevika and why is this scheme important?
The Jeevika Didi Scheme is administered by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Committee (BRLPS). It was launched in 2006 with World Bank assistance. Currently, over 10.81 lakh self-help groups are active in the state, with over 1.34 crore women associated with them. These groups help women increase their income through agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and other small industries. This scheme is not only empowering women economically but also sending a strong message of making them completely self-reliant by providing them entrepreneurial and technical training. This move is being considered a major strategy to strengthen the power of women in Bihar’s politics and society.
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