Mahila Rojgar Yojana- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken another big step towards empowering women in Bihar politics. Recently, after getting approval from the state cabinet, the guidelines of the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme have been issued. Under this scheme, every woman in the state who wants to start self-employment will be given an initial assistance of Rs 10,000.
Bihar assembly elections are near and this scheme is being considered an important decision to attract women. Earlier also, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has tried to woo women voters through the liquor ban campaign, women reservation in teacher recruitment and Jeevika Didi Yojana.
How will you get the benefit?
According to the guidelines, only one woman from a family will get the benefit of this scheme. For this, it is necessary that the beneficiary woman is associated with the Jeevika Didi Self Help Group (SHG). After getting the initial assistance of Rs 10,000, if the woman’s business is successful for six months, she will get a loan ranging from Rs 15,000 to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh to expand it further. The interest rate on this loan has been fixed at 12% per annum and the repayment period has been kept from 1 to 3 years, so that there is no excessive burden on women.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary informed that the benefits of this scheme will be extended to women of 2.7 crore families of the state. This will not only provide employment to women but will also strengthen the rural economy. Currently, 10.81 lakh self-help groups are active in the state, with which 1.34 crore women are associated. Through these groups, women are increasing their income from agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, grocery shops, sewing-embroidery and small industries. Now the new scheme will strengthen these groups further.
Jeevika Didi Yojana run by Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Committee (BRLPS) has already been a major source of income for women. Through the recently formed Jeevika Nidhi Credit Cooperative Union Limited, women are also getting loans at cheap rates like banks. Experts believe that the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme will not only make women self-reliant but will also give a new direction to the rural economy and small businesses.
