Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a major scheme to financially empower women across the state. As part of the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme, 7.5 million women will receive Rs 10,000 each directly into their bank accounts on September 26, coinciding with the festival of Navratri. The scheme aims to help women become self-employed and start small businesses, creating income opportunities for themselves and their families.
The scheme is designed to support women not just in the short term, but also in the long run. After successfully starting their businesses with the initial Rs10,000, women can receive a second installment of Rs2 lakh. In total, each woman could get up to Rs2.1 lakh. This amount is expected to help women invest in their enterprises, improve their financial independence, and boost the economic condition of their families.
The government hopes the scheme will have the greatest impact in rural areas. By helping women set up small businesses, local markets and village economies are likely to grow. Women’s self-employment can also reduce migration from villages, as job opportunities will now exist locally. Officials have compared the scheme to the auspicious Hathiya Nakshatra rains, saying it is a “shower of happiness” for women, much like rainfall strengthens crops.
This initiative builds on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s previous efforts to empower women. Women in Bihar already enjoy 50% reservation in Panchayat and municipal elections, and 35% reservation in police and government jobs. These measures have allowed millions of women to become public representatives and secure professional roles. With the new Women’s Employment Scheme, the government hopes to strengthen women’s economic independence and support the growth of rural communities across Bihar.
