Taking a major step towards financial empowerment of women in Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s cabinet on Thursday approved the second phase of ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozagaar Yojana’ (Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme).
In the first phase, 1.56 crore women benefitted from the scheme as financial assistance of Rs 10,000 was transferred to each beneficiary’s bank account through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). In the second phase, the government will provide an additional support of up to Rs 2 lakh to every woman to expand their businesses.
Making the announcement through a social media post on X, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stated, “I am happy to inform you that action has now begun to provide additional financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh to the selected beneficiaries under the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozagaar Yojana’. This amount will be given in phases, provided that the previously given amount has been properly utilised for employment purposes. If the business is running well, a lump-sum amount may also be provided as required.”
He mentioned that the department concerned has been instructed to ensure proper marketing arrangements for the goods produced by beneficiaries under the scheme. Additionally, these beneficiaries should be linked with the work of various government departments, such as garment production, Sudha milk sale centres, and Didi Ki Rasoi.
“The implementation of this scheme will not only further strengthen the position of women but will also provide them with better employment opportunities within the state, reducing the need for people to migrate outside the state in search of work,” he added.
Nitish Kumar assured that the remaining applicants in both rural and urban areas will also receive the amount in their accounts through DBT as per rules in the near future.
The cabinet also approved the proposal to increase the amount of the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme starting from the financial year 2025-26. The scholarship amount was earlier fixed in 2011 and has now been doubled. This scholarship will be provided to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) students studying in government and recognised schools. Approximately 27 lakh students will benefit from this scheme. The government will spend around Rs 519.64 crore on it.
The cabinet also approved Rs 87.81 crore to establish a music college in Dumraon of Buxar district in the name of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan.
The government has also decided to recruit 17,000 retired personnel of the Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces on a contractual basis in the financial year 2026-27 to further strengthen the Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) working under the Bihar Police.