PM Modi to disburse Rs 10,000 each to 7.5 million women on Sept 26 under CM Employment Scheme
PTC Web Desk: Nearly 7.5 million women across Bihar, irrespective of caste or community, will receive Rs 10,000 each in their bank accounts on September 26. The amount is part of the initial capital under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, launched by the Nitish Kumar government to promote economic independence among women and strengthen the rural economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will transfer Rs 7,500 crore online from Delhi, while Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will attend a parallel event in Patna. A senior Janata Dal (United) leader described the initiative as a “second phase of women’s empowerment,” building on the success of the Jeevika programme and paving the way for women-led economic growth.
The scheme, approved by the state Cabinet on August 29, provides the first installment of Rs 10,000 to one woman per family to start a business of her choice. Financial support can rise up to Rs 2 lakh based on the venture’s progress. Earlier this month, an online application portal was launched, along with 250 awareness vehicles to inform citizens about the scheme.
Jeevika CEO Himanshu Sharma said the response had been overwhelming, with over 1.08 lakh rural women and around 1 million urban women applying so far. “About 7.5 million women will receive funds on September 26, but applications will continue for others. The Prime Minister will personally authorise the fund transfer to beneficiaries,” he added.
The rollout comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly election schedule and is being viewed as politically significant. Women voters, seen as a caste-neutral and decisive voting bloc, have consistently shown higher turnout than men despite lower numbers and an adverse sex ratio of 882 per 1,000 males (Health Ministry HMIS 2023–24). In the 2020 Assembly elections, women turnout was 59.69% compared to 54.68% for men, while in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, women accounted for 60% of the 57.46% total turnout.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have announced similar schemes to attract women voters. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav promised Rs 2,500 per month under the Mai-Bahin Samman Yojana, while Congress launched the ‘Mahila ki Baat, Congress ke Saath’ campaign with a similar monthly benefit. Jan Suraj Party, led by Prashant Kishor, has reserved 40 Assembly tickets for women and proposed loans at 4% interest for livelihood and entrepreneurship initiatives.
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, “Bihar’s people recognise the difference between promises and delivery. Nitish Kumar presents a report card, while others only carry a promise card. Everyone cannot be Nitish Kumar.” Party leaders highlighted Nitish Kumar’s long-standing record since 2005 in advancing women’s empowerment, including greater participation in governance, job reservations, gender parity in secondary education, and breaking stereotypes in rural institutions.
- With inputs from agencies
