Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana: Bihar govt to offer ₹10,000 initial grant, ₹2 lakh extra support for women-led ventures

The Bihar government on Friday approved a new scheme aimed at providing financial support to women for starting employment ventures, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said.

Taking to X, the chief minister wrote in Hindi: “Ever since the formation of the government in November 2005, we have been working on a large scale for women's empowerment. Several important steps have been taken to empower women and make them self-reliant. Now, through their hard work, women are not only contributing to the progress of Bihar but are also strengthening the economic condition of their families. Continuing this mission, we have now taken an important and unprecedented decision in the interest of women, which will have positive long-term results.”

• As per the scheme, one woman from every family in the state will be given an initial financial assistance of ₹10,000 to start employment of her choice.

• The application process will be finalised by the Rural Development Department, along with the assistance from Urban Development and Housing Department wherever required.

• Transfer of funds to beneficiaries’ bank accounts will begin from September 2025.

• After six months of initiating the venture, an assessment will be conducted and additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh may be provided based on need.

Kumar said ‘haat’ markets would also be developed across the state, from villages to cities, to facilitate the sale of products made by women.

“I am confident that the implementation of this scheme will not only further strengthen the position of women but will also provide better employment opportunities within the state, and people will not have to leave the state for employment out of compulsion,” the chief minister added.

Last month, Kumar had declared a hike in incentives for grassroots health workers, raising monthly payments for ASHA workers from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000, while Mamta workers’ remuneration per delivery was doubled to ₹600.

Earlier, in July, the government announced 125 units of free electricity for domestic consumers from August 1, benefitting over 1.67 crore families.

In June, pensions under the Social Security Pension Scheme were enhanced from ₹400 to ₹1,100 per month for the elderly, differently-abled and widows, covering more than 1.09 crore beneficiaries.

The pension for retired journalists under the Bihar Patrakar Samman scheme was also revised from ₹6,000 to ₹15,000, while dependents of deceased journalists will now get ₹10,000 per month, up from ₹3,000.

The flurry of announcements is being viewed as part of the ruling dispensation’s outreach to women, health workers, pensioners and other key voter groups ahead of the polls.