Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi transferred ₹10,000 directly to 75 lakh women’s bank accounts on Thursday while launching Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana through video conferencing during Navratri celebrations.
Modi announced that the simultaneous transfer marked a significant milestone for Bihar’s women, stating that when women engage in employment or self-employment, their dreams gain new wings and their respect in society grows. He credited the Jan Dhan Yojana infrastructure, launched eleven years ago, for making the direct transfer possible, noting that over 30 crore women opened bank accounts under the scheme linked to mobile phones and Aadhaar cards.
The Prime Minister emphasised that without this infrastructure, the money would have been lost in transit, resulting in grave injustice to beneficiaries. He described his collaboration with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as two brothers working together for the service, prosperity, and dignity of Bihar’s women.
Modi revealed his initial impression of the scheme’s vision, explaining that every family will have at least one woman beneficiary. The Bihar employment scheme provides initial financial support of ₹10,000, with potential funding up to ₹2 lakh based on enterprise success. Women can open shops selling groceries, utensils, cosmetics, toys, and stationery, or pursue livestock businesses, including cattle rearing and poultry farming.
Bihar employment scheme strengthens existing women’s programs
The scheme integrates with Bihar’s existing network of nearly 11 lakh self-help groups and the recently launched Jeevika Nidhi Credit Cooperative Society. Modi stated this established system will make the scheme effective across Bihar from inception, providing necessary training for all ventures.
Modi highlighted that the initiative strengthens the Central Government’s Lakhpati Didi campaign, which targets creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis nationwide. Over 2 crore women have already achieved this milestone, with their hard work transforming villages and reshaping society. In Bihar, lakhs of women have become Lakhpati Didis, and Modi predicted the state will soon have the highest number in the country.
The Prime Minister referenced additional Central Government initiatives expanding women’s employment opportunities, including the Mudra Yojana, Drone Didi campaign, Bima Sakhi campaign, and Bank Didi campaign. He emphasised these efforts aim to help women realise their dreams by providing maximum opportunities.
Modi contrasted current conditions with Bihar’s previous governance under opposition rule, describing it as the “era of lantern governance.” He recalled that women bore the brunt of lawlessness and corruption, with major roads broken and bridges non-existent. During floods, pregnant women could not reach hospitals on time and lacked proper treatment in critical situations.
Modi concluded by affirming that whenever Bihar women have been given opportunities, they have brought transformative change through courage and determination, with women’s progress leading to overall societal progress. He extended congratulations to Bihar’s people on the scheme launch.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh attended the event among other dignitaries.
