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The Bihar government has announced a major expansion of its flagship Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, offering women up to ₹2 lakh in additional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. This initiative is aimed at strengthening women’s economic independence and encouraging them to start or expand small businesses that can support their families and contribute to the state’s economy.

The decision was recently approved in a Bihar cabinet meeting, signaling the government’s commitment to empowering women and improving livelihood opportunities across both rural and urban areas.

First Phase Support Already Delivered to Crores of Women

Under the first phase of the scheme, eligible women received an initial financial grant of ₹10,000 to help them begin small-scale income-generating activities. So far, ₹10,000 has been transferred to the bank accounts of approximately 1.56 crore women through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The government has confirmed that women who have not yet received the initial installment—especially those in remaining rural and urban areas—will soon get the funds directly credited to their bank accounts.

This initial financial support has helped many women start ventures such as tailoring units, small retail shops, home-based food businesses, dairy activities, and other micro-enterprises.

Additional ₹2 Lakh Support Linked to Business Performance

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed optimism about the next phase of the program, stating that women who have successfully utilized the initial ₹10,000 grant will now be eligible for additional financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh.

However, this extended support will be performance-based. The government will review each beneficiary’s business progress after six months. If a woman demonstrates that her enterprise is running effectively, she may receive further funding in phased installments or, depending on the requirement, as a lump-sum amount.

This step ensures that financial resources are directed toward women who are actively building sustainable businesses and making effective use of government support.

Focus on Marketing and Government-Linked Work Opportunities

To ensure long-term success, the Bihar government has instructed relevant departments to help market and promote products made by women under this scheme. Officials have been directed to create sales channels and branding support so that these women can reach a broader customer base.

Additionally, women entrepreneurs will be linked to government-supported work opportunities, including:

• Stitching uniforms for schools and colleges

• Working with Sudha Dairy sales centers

• Participating in welfare initiatives such as Didi Ki Rasoi

• Supplying goods and services to other state-supported programs

These steps are expected to provide consistent income streams and long-term employment stability.

Economic and Social Benefits of the Scheme

The expanded women employment scheme is expected to bring multiple benefits at both the household and state levels. By supporting women in starting businesses and securing jobs locally, the initiative aims to:

• Strengthen women’s financial independence

• Generate local employment opportunities within Bihar

• Reduce migration to other states in search of work

• Improve family income and social stability

• Encourage entrepreneurship among women

• Promote inclusive economic growth across communities

The government’s long-term vision is to ensure that at least one woman in every household becomes financially independent, contributing to both family welfare and the broader economy.

A Step Toward Women-Led Development in Bihar

This scheme reflects Bihar’s growing focus on women-led development and self-reliance. By combining financial aid, business evaluation, marketing support, and government-linked employment, the state aims to create a sustainable ecosystem where women can thrive as entrepreneurs and wage earners.

With the rollout of the additional ₹2 lakh support, the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana is set to become one of the most impactful women empowerment programs in the state, offering long-term opportunities for economic growth and social progress.