Patna: Women associated with Bihar’s Jeevika self-help groups in the Pakridayal subdivision of East Champaran could soon receive financial support to open Sudha sales centres in their villages, as part of an initiative aimed at promoting rural entrepreneurship and expanding access to dairy products.
According to officials, the programme is being implemented jointly by Jeevika and the Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation (COMFED). Selected beneficiaries will be eligible for Rs 60,000 to establish Sudha outlets in their respective panchayats.
Scheme Aims to Promote Women’s Entrepreneurship
The initiative is intended to create self-employment opportunities for women while strengthening the rural dairy retail network.
According to the authorities, Sudha outlets will supply products such as milk, curd and ghee, making them more easily available in villages while providing an additional source of income for women entrepreneurs.
Officials said the programme complements the state’s broader efforts to encourage women’s economic participation through self-employment schemes.
Online Applications Underway
Jeevika official Aditya Chandra said the online application process for eligible women has begun.
According to the scheme guidelines, applicants must be members of a Jeevika Self-Help Group (SHG) and have access to a shop, either owned or rented, within the panchayat where the Sudha centre is proposed.
Lottery System for Selection
Officials said that if multiple applications are received from the same panchayat, the beneficiary will be selected through a lottery system.
According to the department, the process is intended to ensure transparency in selecting eligible candidates.
What the Financial Assistance Covers
Under the scheme, selected women will receive Rs 60,000 to establish the retail outlet.
According to officials, the financial assistance will be used for:
Purchasing a deep freezer
Installing a visi-cooler
Providing a Sudha signboard
Carrying out essential shop repairs
Beneficiaries will be required to contribute Rs 15,000 from their own resources towards setting up the centre.
What’s Next
The authorities are expected to complete the application and selection process before allotting Sudha centres across the panchayats in Pakridayal.
According to officials, the initiative is expected to strengthen rural livelihoods while improving the availability of dairy products in villages through women-led enterprises.
