₹10,000 for Bihar Women: A Strategic Move by NDA Before 2025 Elections?

The NDA government in Bihar has initiated a major financial aid program for women, a strategic move ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections. The focus on women, who constitute nearly half the state’s population and have shown significant support for the NDA in past elections, is evident in the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.’ This scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, involves the direct transfer of ₹10,000 into the bank accounts of 7.5 million women, with a total investment of ₹7,500 crore. The goal of the initiative is to empower women through self-employment and livelihood opportunities, as stated by the central government. Each family is set to receive assistance, enabling women to pursue their chosen employment or income-generating activities, with potential for additional funding up to ₹2 lakh. The program encompasses diverse sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and small industries. The ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana’ will be community-led, integrating financial support with training provided by Self-Help Groups. Moreover, efforts are underway to develop rural markets to boost sales of women’s products. The DBT system, implemented to transfer the funds, is designed to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and ensure timely distribution of benefits.