Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar disbursed Rs 2,500 crore to 25 lakh women under the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana’ on Friday. The grand event, held at the CM’s official residence in Patna, marked a significant milestone, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to one crore, each receiving Rs 10,000 to kickstart their entrepreneurial ventures.

This ambitious self-employment scheme, aimed at empowering women across Bihar, has gained momentum since its inception. Just a week ago, on September 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually joined a similar event, where 75 lakh women received funds. Kumar, addressing the gathering, reiterated his vision: “Our goal is to ensure one woman from every family in Bihar benefits from this scheme. On October 6, more women will receive Rs 10,000 directly in their bank accounts.”

The Chief Minister announced that disbursements would continue weekly, ensuring no eligible woman is left behind. “Women who succeed in their enterprises will be eligible for additional support of up to Rs 2 lakh,” Kumar added, emphasizing the scheme’s long-term commitment to fostering entrepreneurship. At 74, Kumar, the JD(U) leader, is gearing up for his fifth consecutive term in the upcoming assembly elections, and this initiative is seen as a strategic move to bolster support for the ruling NDA coalition, which has governed Bihar for two decades.

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Political analysts view the scheme as a potential game-changer for the NDA, helping it counter anti-incumbency sentiments. The opposition INDIA bloc, however, dismissed the initiative as a “copycat” move, accusing the NDA of recycling populist ideas to sway voters. Undeterred, Kumar highlighted his government’s track record in women’s welfare, contrasting it with the “neglect” of previous regimes. “Unlike earlier governments, we’ve empowered women with 50% reservations in panchayats and local bodies, and 35% in police and government jobs,” he said.

The scheme’s rollout has sparked widespread discussion. Supporters hail it as a transformative step toward gender equality and economic self-reliance, while critics argue it’s an election-driven tactic. Last week, PM Modi, in his virtual address, struck an emotional chord, calling Bihar’s women the “worst sufferers” of the RJD’s “jungle raj” era, urging them to safeguard the state’s progress.

As Bihar heads toward the polls, the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana’ is poised to reshape the narrative around women’s empowerment and economic development, with millions more set to benefit in the coming weeks.

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