Bihar’s 52 Lakh Anganwadi Children to Receive Uniforms Sewn by Jeevika Didis under New Government Pact

Patna: About 5.2 million children aged between three and six enrolled in Bihar’s Anganwadi centres are set to receive two sets of uniforms annually, following a new agreement between government departments aimed at empowering local women and improving services for young children.

The landmark initiative was formalised on Tuesday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society — known as Jeevika — and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) under the Social Welfare Department. The MoU, signed at Hotel Maurya in Patna by Jeevika CEO Himanshu Sharma and ICDS Director Amit Kumar Pandey, marks a significant step towards merging social welfare schemes with local livelihoods.

Under the agreement, women associated with Jeevika self-help groups, popularly known as Jeevika didis, will produce the uniforms, which officials said will support both children’s welfare and rural women’s incomes.

Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar hailed the move, announcing plans to establish sewing centres with 100 machines in each of Bihar’s 534 blocks, repurposing old government buildings for the purpose. “Since 2006, about 20 lakh [two million] Jeevika didis have become lakhpati didis in the state. Their income has increased significantly,” he said. He noted that more than 48,000 women in Bihar currently own sewing machines, with nearly 92,600 machines in operation across the state.

“हम उस दिन का बेसब्री से इंतजार कर रहे हैं, जब जीविका दीदियों द्वारा 1 लाख मीटर से अधिक कपड़े का उपयोग कर बनाए गए यूनिफॉर्म में हमारे आंगनबाड़ी केंद्रों के बच्चे मुस्कुराते हुए नजर आएंगे। हमें पूरा विश्वास है कि जीविका दीदियां इस कार्य को तय समय से पहले पूर्ण कर एक नई मिसाल… pic.twitter.com/bwUT8uCBkQ

— Social Welfare Department, Bihar (@DoSWBihar) July 1, 2025

Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni said the scheme reflects the government’s efforts to integrate welfare with economic empowerment. “We look forward to the day when Jeevika didis will use over one lakh metres of fabric to make clothes for children,” Sahni said. He also hinted at plans to engage Jeevika groups in sewing uniforms for Anganwadi workers and helpers.

“It is a matter of immense pride for all of us that we are present together on such an important occasion. I believe that today will prove to be a milestone not only for Jeevika and Anganwadi centres, but for the rural economy of the entire Bihar,” said Bandana Preyashi, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, highlighting the broader socio-economic impact of the initiative.

यह हम सभी के लिए अत्यंत गर्व का विषय है कि हम इतने महत्वपूर्ण अवसर पर एक साथ उपस्थित हैं। मेरा विश्वास है कि आज का दिन न केवल जीविका और आंगनवाड़ी केंद्रों के लिए, बल्कि पूरे बिहार की ग्रामीण अर्थव्यवस्था के लिए एक मील का पत्थर सिद्ध होगा।”
— श्रीमती बंदना प्रेयषी, सचिव, समाज… pic.twitter.com/yVrSQLGZ7d

— Social Welfare Department, Bihar (@DoSWBihar) July 1, 2025

Previously, the Social Welfare Department provided Rs 250 per child for uniforms, a sum later raised to Rs 400. However, department secretary Bandana Preyashi said that despite the increase, children were not consistently receiving the benefit, prompting the shift to locally tailored uniforms. “This decision will transform the appearance of Anganwadi centres and strengthen the economic situation in rural areas,” she said, noting that children will receive separate summer and winter uniforms under the scheme.

Rural Development Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh said the initiative could generate a turnover exceeding Rs 200 crore, providing crucial doorstep employment for rural women. “If there’s any shortage of funds, Jeevika didis can also access bank loans to support the work,” he said.

The signing ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including Jeevika Additional Chief Executive Officer Abhilasha Kumari Sharma.

The initiative is expected to improve conditions for children while simultaneously boosting the economic independence of women across Bihar’s villages.