Bihar Cabinet Approves ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana’ to Empower Women Through Self-Employment.
Goverment Scheme
On 29 August 2025, the Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, a flagship program aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the economy by supporting them with financial aid, skill development, and entrepreneurial opportunities across rural and urban areas.
- The scheme ensures that one woman from every family will be identified and encouraged to establish self-employment ventures. To begin, each selected beneficiary will receive a direct grant of ₹10,000, while additional support of up to ₹2 lakh will be provided after a six-month performance review, encouraging sustainability and growth.
- The Rural Development Department (RDD) will implement the program in villages, while the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) will oversee activities in towns and cities.
- Beneficiary funds will be transferred through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism beginning September 2025, ensuring transparency and accountability in the disbursement process.
Main Point :- (i) According to Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, the program was designed after extensive discussions during the Mahila Samvad campaign, which engaged over 70,000 women’s groups to assess needs at the grassroots.
(ii) The scheme reflects continuity in Bihar’s women-centric initiatives such as 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (2006), liquor prohibition law (2016), and bicycle and scholarship schemes for girl students. It also leverages the network of JEEViKA self-help groups, which currently connect 1.4 crore women through 11 lakh SHGs, giving the new scheme a ready social foundation.
(iii) By focusing on job creation within Bihar, the initiative seeks to reduce out-migration of youth and women for work. It not only boosts local entrepreneurship but also carries political weight ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections, signaling the government’s commitment to gender equity and inclusive development.
About Bihar
Chief minister: Nitish Kumar
Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
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