Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a significant top-up to the "Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana" (Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme), potentially increasing financial assistance for select beneficiaries from ₹10,000 to ₹2 lakh. This initiative aims to further empower women in the state by providing additional support for their entrepreneurial ventures.

Under the scheme, the Bihar government initially provides ₹10,000 to one woman from each family through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to facilitate the start of a business or livelihood activity. So far, ₹10,000 has been transferred to the accounts of 1 crore 56 lakh beneficiaries through DBT. The remaining applicants in rural and urban areas will also soon have the amount sent to their accounts through DBT as per the rules.

Recognizing the potential for growth and expansion, the government has decided to provide additional financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh to selected beneficiaries based on the progress of their ventures. This additional amount will be disbursed in phases, contingent upon the proper utilization of the initial ₹10,000 for employment purposes. A lump sum amount can also be provided as per requirement if the employment is running well. The decision to provide this top-up reflects the government's commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering economic independence.

In a statement, Nitish Kumar said that action has been initiated to provide additional financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh to the selected beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.

Furthermore, the government intends to connect these beneficiaries with various government departments to facilitate marketing and sales. The departments have been directed to ensure proper arrangements for the marketing of goods produced by the beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. Beneficiaries could be linked to garment manufacturing, Sudha sales centers, and Didi ki Rasoi, among others.

The "Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana" is implemented with the help of the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society, also known as Jeevika, under the Department of Rural Development. Members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), or Jeevika Didis, are expected to be major beneficiaries of this scheme.

This scheme is part of a broader initiative by the Bihar government to double employment opportunities and income in the state. The government aims to double the state's per capita income, with the "Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana" playing a crucial role in achieving this goal. Over the next five years, the government aims to create one crore jobs and employment opportunities for the youth, for which a new Youth Employment and Skill Development Department has been set up.