Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday transferred a total of Rs 1,000 crore to one million women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, a flagship scheme designed to foster entrepreneurship among women across the state.
From his official residence in Patna, the Chief Minister personally initiated the direct benefit transfer (DBT) of Rs 10,000 to each of the 10 lakh selected beneficiaries in the presence of several cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
Speaking to the media after the event, Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar disclosed that so far a total of 1.56 crore women have received the financial assistance under the scheme. “A total of 1.56 crore women have received the money so far,” he said. “The beneficiaries are being encouraged to use the sum for self-employment. Those who do so demonstrably will in due course get further assistance of Rs 2 lakh each,” the minister added.
The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana was formally launched in September this year, roughly a month before the announcement of the Bihar assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had joined the launch event virtually.
The disbursement of funds was carried out in phased batches, and the process continued even after the model code of conduct came into force following the announcement of polls, triggering sharp criticism from the opposition, which accused the government of attempting to “purchase” votes through the scheme.
Political observers and exit-poll data later suggested that the scheme yielded significant electoral dividends for the ruling NDA, with women voters turning out in record numbers and contributing decisively to the alliance securing a comfortable majority in the recently concluded assembly elections, enabling Nitish Kumar to return as Chief Minister for a record fifth consecutive term.
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During the media interaction, Minister Shravan Kumar was also questioned about persistent complaints from women who had applied for the scheme but were yet to receive the money, as well as allegations that certain officials and middlemen involved in form-filling were demanding bribes from applicants.
Dismissing the charges, the minister clarified, “The scheme makes it clear that recipients of the aid must get registered with a Jeevika self-help group in their area. Those who have not done so are being persuaded to do the needful, and they will get the benefit.”
He further alleged that the complaints were being amplified by opposition parties for political gain. “Allegations of corruption are being made by Opposition parties like RJD and Jan Suraaj Party, which showed no scruples in demanding Rs 20,000 from those who wished to join the outfits,” Shravan Kumar said.
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