India's Modi transfers Rs 7,500 crore to 75 million Bihar women entrepreneurs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana in Bihar, transferring Rs 10,000 each to 75 lakh women associated with Self Help Groups to promote self-employment and economic empowerment. The scheme, supported by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, aims to expand financial aid up to Rs 2 lakh per woman for successful entrepreneurial ventures in sectors like agriculture and handicrafts, leveraging existing reforms such as Jan Dhan Yojana and Aadhaar for direct fund transfers. Modi highlighted this initiative as a joint effort with Nitish Kumar to improve women's prosperity and dignity, emphasizing the importance of women's empowerment for societal progress. The program is part of a broader political context ahead of Bihar's state assembly elections, with Modi criticizing the previous RJD rule and urging women to support the current NDA government to maintain law and order and continued development. In response, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav pledged a competing scheme, "Mai Bahin Maan Yojana," promising monthly financial aid to women if his party gains power, framing the NDA government as lacking vision and being influenced by central leaders. The contrasting schemes reflect the political competition to win women voters in Bihar, a key demographic with increasing electoral participation.