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Bihar has sharply raised aid under its women employment scheme from Rs 10,000 to up to Rs 2 lakh. But the extra money isn’t automatic. Who qualifies, how performance will be judged, and what this means for women entrepreneurs here’s what we know.
Bihar hikes women employment scheme allowance
Patna: The Bihar government has significantly enhanced financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme, increasing the support amount from Rs 10,000 to up to Rs 2 lakh. The revised structure links higher assistance to the performance and sustainability of enterprises set up by women beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the decision following a cabinet meeting and shared details on social media, stating that the enhanced aid will be released in phases after evaluating how effectively beneficiaries utilise the initial support.
Under the revised scheme, women who have already received Rs 10,000 as the first instalment will become eligible for additional financial support after six months. The release of further funds will depend on the assessment of how the initial amount was used to establish employment or start a business.
“The process has been initiated to provide selected beneficiaries with additional financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh. This amount will be given in phases, provided the earlier amount was properly utilised for employment,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that in cases where enterprises show strong performance, beneficiaries may also receive a lump sum amount, depending on requirements.
Nitish Kumar said the scheme aims to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship by ensuring that at least one woman from every family becomes economically independent.
“In the first phase, Rs 10,000 was provided to one woman from each family. So far, 1 crore 56 lakh women have received this assistance through direct benefit transfer,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that remaining eligible applicants in both rural and urban areas will soon receive the initial instalment as per prescribed guidelines.
As per the scheme’s provisions, beneficiaries’ enterprises will be reviewed six months after commencement. Based on the evaluation, additional financial assistance up to Rs 2 lakh may be sanctioned to help expand or stabilise the business. “The work will be assessed after six months and further support will be provided accordingly,” Kumar said.
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To ensure sustainability, the state government has directed departments to facilitate marketing support for products made by beneficiaries. Women entrepreneurs will be linked to government-backed initiatives such as uniform manufacturing, Sudha sales centres and Didi Ki Rasoi.
The Chief Minister said the expanded scheme is expected to strengthen women’s economic participation while creating local employment opportunities. “With better employment options within the state, people will not be compelled to migrate outside Bihar for work,” he said.
The government believes the revised financial support structure will play a crucial role in boosting women entrepreneurship and improving livelihoods across the state.
