PM Modi Launches Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana: ₹10,000 Aid for 75 Lakh Women
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, providing ₹10,000 each to 75 lakh women to promote self-employment and empowerment.
Introduction
In a significant push for women’s economic empowerment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana on September 26. During the launch, the Prime Minister transferred ₹10,000 each directly into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across the state, marking the beginning of one of Bihar’s largest livelihood initiatives for women.
Context & Background
Bihar has long grappled with challenges of unemployment, low female workforce participation, and rural poverty. While women play a vital role in agriculture, animal husbandry, and local trades, lack of access to capital and institutional support continues to limit their potential.
To address these barriers, the state’s NDA government designed the ₹7,500-crore Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. The program aims not only to create livelihood opportunities for women but also to strengthen Bihar’s rural economy through grassroots-driven entrepreneurship. Its introduction builds on earlier self-help group movements and state-sponsored livelihood missions that helped women organize into cooperatives.
Main Developments
The newly launched scheme is structured around Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure transparency and inclusion. Key highlights include:
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Initial Grant: Each beneficiary woman receives ₹10,000 directly in her bank account.
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Future Support: Beneficiaries may access additional financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh in phased installments.
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Livelihood Choices: Funds can be invested in agriculture, livestock rearing, handicrafts, tailoring, weaving, or other micro-enterprises of choice.
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Community-Driven Training: Members of self-help groups and community resource persons will mentor women in managing finances, developing business skills, and accessing markets.
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Market Access: The government plans to expand and modernize Gramin Haat-Bazaars to help women sell their produce and products more effectively.
Launching the scheme, PM Modi stated that the initiative symbolized “a shift from welfare distribution to empowerment through enterprise,” emphasizing that it will lay the foundation for greater economic self-reliance among women.
Expert Insight & Public Reaction
Economists have welcomed the scheme as a potential game-changer for Bihar’s rural economy. Dr. Ritu Anand, a development economist, highlighted:
“Providing seed capital directly into women’s hands allows them to create micro-enterprises that can transform household income structures. The added layer of mentorship and market linkages is what differentiates this scheme from past welfare measures.”
On the ground, optimism is widespread among women about the prospects of financial independence. Sunita Devi, a beneficiary from Nalanda district, said, “For the first time, we have money in our own bank accounts to decide how to use it. I plan to start a small tailoring business from home.”
Political analysts also note that this initiative is likely to boost women’s participation in the workforce, which has historically lagged in Bihar, and may have positive ripple effects for social development indicators such as education, healthcare, and nutrition.
Impact & Implications
The expected impact of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana stretches beyond immediate financial relief. Some key implications include:
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Women’s Empowerment: By directly transferring grants, the scheme strengthens women’s agency in household decision-making.
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Rural Economy Boost: Livelihood creation in rural areas reduces migration pressures and promotes balanced regional development.
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Entrepreneurship Growth: Encouraging small-scale enterprises contributes to a culture of entrepreneurship across Bihar’s villages.
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Long-term Social Change: Access to steady incomes has the potential to uplift rural families, improve children’s education, and promote better healthcare outcomes.
However, experts caution that challenges such as financial literacy, access to quality markets, and corruption risks could limit the scheme’s full effectiveness. Robust monitoring and partnerships with NGOs and women’s collectives will therefore be critical.
Conclusion
The launch of Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana signals a bold step towards reshaping women’s economic participation in the state. By combining direct financial assistance with long-term support structures, the scheme offers a blend of empowerment and sustainability. If implemented with transparency and inclusivity, this initiative has the potential to become a model for women’s livelihood programs across India—where grassroots empowerment fuels not just family incomes, but also a new wave of rural entrepreneurship and social transformation.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on publicly available government statements and reports. Readers are advised to verify scheme details from official Bihar government notifications before taking any financial or business decisions.