Patna: The Bihar government’s Jeevika scheme is changing the lives of women in villages by teaching them saving habits and business skills. Run by the Rural Development Department, the programme has brought together more than 1 crore 40 lakh poor families into over 11 lakh self-help groups (SHGs). Women in these groups are now earning through work such as sewing, embroidery, dairy, farming and shopkeeping.
Under the scheme, 73,510 village organisations and 1,680 cluster-level unions have been formed. So far, 10.63 lakh SHG bank accounts have been opened, and loans worth Rs 57,186 crore have been provided. This has helped women avoid high-interest moneylenders and get cheaper loans directly from banks. Around 6,393 “Bank Sakhis” are also working in villages to spread awareness about banking and financial services.
The scheme has also given insurance protection to over 83.35 lakh members, offering financial support in emergencies. Leadership training is being provided at the village level, encouraging women to take part in decision-making in Panchayats.
Officials say Jeevika is not only improving women’s income but also making them more confident and self-reliant. They believe it will play an important role in strengthening Bihar’s rural economy in the future.
