The Bihar government has introduced a significant welfare scheme aimed at encouraging women’s entrepreneurship and economic independence. Known as the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, this initiative provides financial assistance to women from every family, offering them the opportunity to start a business of their choice. With this step, the state hopes to empower women while also driving local economic growth.
Key Features of the Scheme
Under this scheme, one eligible woman from each family will initially receive financial support of ₹10,000 to start her chosen small business. After the business is set up, government officials will assess its progress. Based on this evaluation, women may receive further assistance of up to ₹2,00,000 to expand their ventures.
The scheme is designed to not just make women self-reliant but also encourage more households to participate in entrepreneurial activities, ultimately contributing to Bihar’s overall development.
Eligibility conditions include:
- The applicant’s age should be between 18 and 60 years.
- Neither the woman nor her spouse should be an income tax payer.
- Neither should hold a government job, whether permanent or contractual.
For this program, the definition of ‘family’ includes a husband, wife, and their unmarried children. Additionally, an unmarried woman whose parents are no longer alive will also be considered a separate family and can access benefits. Women associated with urban Self-Help Groups (SHGs) also qualify to apply, with only one beneficiary allowed per family.
Application Process for Women
The application process varies for urban and rural women:
- For urban women: Applications can be submitted through the official Jeevika portal (www.brlps.in). Applicants must upload scanned copies of their Aadhaar card, bank passbook, photograph, and a handwritten signature. Membership in an SHG is mandatory to receive benefits. Those not already in one will be assisted by a Community Resource Person (CRP) to join. Women already part of SHGs do not need to apply separately.
- For rural women: Village-level associations (Gram Sangathan) will organize meetings to collect applications from SHG members. Women who are not yet part of Jeevika SHGs must first apply to join before becoming eligible for the scheme.
The portal for applications officially opened on September 10.
Through this initiative, the Bihar government’s goal is clear: empower women at the grassroots level, strengthen families financially, and create a long-lasting impact on the state’s economy.
