Patna: The Bihar government has issued guidelines for the Chief Minister Mahila Rojgar Yojana, making it compulsory for women to join Jeevika self-help groups to access financial support.
Women who enroll in the scheme will receive Rs 10,000 in the first instalment to begin employment, with the possibility of securing up to Rs 2,00,000 after six months, depending on the progress of their work. Only one woman per family will be eligible.
The scheme, approved by the state cabinet in late August and implemented from September 1, is expected to cover 2.70 crore families across Bihar. The government has allocated Rs 27,000 crore for the programme.
Officials have highlighted that the Jeevika network, long promoted by the state, is central to this initiative, both for ensuring accountability and for empowering women at the grassroots. Analysts, however, note that the move comes just ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, inviting comparisons to national-level welfare schemes such as free ration distribution.
