Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, September 26, launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana for Bihar, transferring Rs 10,000 each into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women in the first phase of the programme. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the total transfer amounted to Rs 7,500 crore, one of the largest single-day disbursements to women in the state.
Support for self-employment
The scheme, first announced by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is aimed at making women economically self-reliant by supporting small businesses and livelihood activities. Beneficiaries who succeed in running their ventures will later be eligible for additional assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh.
Applications from over 3.06 crore women were received, of which 75 lakh were shortlisted for the opening round of transfers, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said. The assistance can be used for activities such as agriculture, tailoring, handicrafts, weaving, animal husbandry and other small-scale trades.
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Bihar government’s women-focused push
Addressing the launch event in Patna, Nitish Kumar said the initiative builds on a series of women-centric policies. He highlighted 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and the success of Jeevika self-help groups, which have expanded to more than one crore members across rural Bihar. “Those who establish themselves through this scheme will receive up to Rs 2 lakh in further support. We want women to become truly Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant),” he said.
PM Modi hails direct transfers
Joining virtually from Delhi, PM Modi said such a large-scale transfer was possible only because of reforms like the Jan Dhan Yojana, which has enabled the opening of more than 30 crore bank accounts nationwide.
“Earlier, a former Prime Minister had said that when the Centre sent Rs 100, only Rs 15 reached the people. Today, every rupee goes directly into beneficiaries’ accounts,” PM Modi said.
He added that schemes such as Mudra Yojana, Drone Didi, Insurance Sakhi and Bank Didi are expanding opportunities for women.
The rollout comes as Bihar heads towards Assembly elections in 2025. Women voters, who have been crucial in past contests, are seen as a key constituency. The scheme also ties in with the Centre’s Lakhpati Didi mission, under which more than 2 crore women have already crossed the Rs 1 lakh annual income mark against a target of 3 crore. PM Modi expressed confidence that Bihar would emerge as a leading contributor.
Beneficiaries who interacted with PM Modi during the launch welcomed the scheme, saying the initial grant would help them expand existing businesses or start new ventures. Officials said the funds were credited instantly through the Direct Benefit Transfer system. The scheme will also provide training support and develop rural markets to aid sales, with the government positioning it as both an empowerment drive and a step towards raising household incomes in Bihar.
