Bihar – On September 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will transfer ₹10,000 each to 7.5 million women under the newly launched Bihar CM Employment Scheme. This initiative, designed by the Nitish Kumar government, aims to enhance women’s economic independence and provide a significant boost to the state’s rural economy.
The scheme, cleared by the Bihar cabinet in late August, represents the largest direct support programme for women in the state. By providing one woman in each family with financial aid, it intends to promote small-scale entrepreneurship and foster self-reliance.
Structure and Financial Support
The Bihar CM Employment Scheme provides an initial installment of ₹10,000 to beneficiaries. Depending on the success and expansion of their chosen business ventures, support could increase up to ₹2 lakh over time. Officials said this tiered approach allows women to gradually scale their activities while being supported by state-backed funding.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar launched the online application portal earlier this month, along with 250 awareness vehicles across districts. Applications have poured in rapidly, reflecting overwhelming demand. Over 1.08 lakh rural women and nearly 1 million urban women had already applied ahead of the official rollout.
Role of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister
For the formal transfer, the Prime Minister will push the digital button from Delhi to release ₹7,500 crore directly into bank accounts. Chief minister Nitish Kumar will simultaneously address a public gathering in Patna to mark the occasion. Party leaders described this as the “second phase of women’s empowerment,” building upon the success of the Jeevika programme and steering the state toward women-led development.
Political Significance in Election Season
The rollout of the Bihar CM Employment Scheme is taking place just before the Bihar assembly election schedule is announced. Political observers say the timing is critical, as financial incentives for women are emerging as a decisive electoral factor. Women voters, seen as caste-neutral, have shaped Bihar’s elections for nearly two decades.
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Despite the state’s adverse sex ratio of 882 women per 1,000 men, women have consistently outvoted men. In the 2020 assembly elections, women’s turnout stood at 59.69% compared to 54.68% for men. Similarly, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, women accounted for 60% of the total turnout.
Opposition Counters with Promises
The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has launched its own initiative called the ‘Mai-Bahin Samman Yojana’, promising ₹2,500 per month to women if voted into power. Application forms for the scheme are already being distributed, drawing criticism from the ruling alliance, which dismissed the plan as an unethical move.
The Congress has also unveiled its ‘Mahila ki Baat, Congress ke Saath’ campaign, pledging ₹2,500 monthly support. Leaders accused Nitish Kumar of copying promises from rivals, arguing that he had ample opportunity to implement similar schemes earlier.
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party joined the fray by announcing 40 assembly seats for women candidates out of 243 and offering loans at 4% interest. The party is considering a women’s credit card–style scheme to further enhance access to funds.
JD(U) Defends Its Record
In response, the Janata Dal (United) has defended the Bihar CM Employment Scheme as a genuine effort rooted in delivery rather than promises. Spokespersons argued that Nitish Kumar presents a “report card” of governance, unlike rivals who merely carry “promise cards.”
Party leaders also emphasized the chief minister’s record since 2005 in advancing women’s empowerment. Initiatives have ranged from gender parity in secondary education and reservations in jobs to stronger participation in rural institutions. These achievements, they say, provide the foundation for the latest scheme.
Building on Jeevika’s Success
The Bihar CM Employment Scheme builds directly on the success of the Jeevika programme, which brought millions of women into self-help groups and enhanced financial inclusion. Leaders of Jeevika said the new scheme represents a natural extension, designed to transition women from collective self-help to individual entrepreneurship.
Officials highlighted that the scheme is designed to cut across caste and community, ensuring inclusivity. Direct transfers will reduce leakages and enhance accountability, making it one of the most transparent support measures in Bihar.
A Step Toward Women-Led Development
The introduction of the Bihar CM Employment Scheme is widely seen as a milestone in the journey toward women-led development. With women already driving voter turnout and shaping political outcomes, the scheme underlines their growing centrality in both the economy and governance.
As funds begin to flow on September 26, the initiative is expected to provide immediate relief while laying the groundwork for long-term entrepreneurship. With elections on the horizon, the scheme carries both social and political weight, potentially redefining the role of women as key agents of Bihar’s transformation.
