Patna, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday transferred ₹1,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of one million women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyami Yojana (Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurship Scheme), providing each recipient with a one-time grant of ₹10,000.
The disbursement, executed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), took place at an event held at Sankalp, the state government’s conference facility on 1 Anne Marg in Patna. Mr Kumar pressed the ceremonial button to initiate the transfer.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that the remaining eligible women would receive the amount next month, and reiterated the government’s target of completing the entire exercise before 14 December. With Friday’s tranche, a total of 15.6 million women have so far received the grant, involving an outlay of ₹15,600 crore since the scheme’s inception.
The scheme primarily targets members of Jeevika self-help groups in rural areas (950,000 beneficiaries in the latest round) and urban women’s collectives (50,000 beneficiaries). The seed capital is intended to support micro-enterprises such as grocery shops, tailoring units, vegetable vending, tea stalls, and livestock rearing.
Beneficiaries can verify their status at their respective village organisation or self-help group office, or contact the Jeevika helpline (0612-2504980 / 0612-2504960).
The initiative was one of the key promises made by the National Democratic Alliance ahead of the recent Bihar assembly elections, which the NDA won comfortably. Political observers note that women voters played a decisive role in the alliance’s victory, and the swift rollout of the scheme is being seen as fulfilment of an electoral commitment.
In a separate development, rebel Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Ritu Jaiswal, who contested as an independent, questioned the timing of a government notice asking former Chief Minister Rabri Devi to vacate her long-standing official residence at 10 Circular Road. Ms Jaiswal suggested on social media that the move would not have been possible had the RJD retained greater legislative strength or if prospects of a future RJD-JD(U) alliance remained alive. The state government has allotted Ms Devi alternative accommodation at 39 Harding Road, barely 200 metres from the Chief Minister’s residence.
The Bihar government’s continued focus on direct cash transfers to women reflects a broader trend in Indian statecraft, where targeted welfare schemes have become central to electoral strategy and governance.
