In a significant move ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Bihar Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced major benefits for women and workers associated with the Jeevika scheme. The state government has decided to double the honorarium of workers involved in various administrative, training, and support roles under the Jeevika programme. Additionally, the interest rate on loans for Jeevika Didis has been reduced to enhance their financial independence.
Jeevika SHGs To Pay Only 7% Interest On Loans Exceeding Rs. 3 Lakhs
Under the revised policy, members of Jeevika Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will now pay only 7% interest on loans exceeding Rs. 3 lakh, down from the earlier 10%. Mr. Kumar stated that this decision will help increase the income of women associated with SHGs and improve their standard of living. Currently, around 1.40 lakh employees are working under the Jeevika scheme, providing various services, including capacity building and administrative assistance.
Mr. Kumar highlighted the impact of the Jeevika initiative, which was launched in 2006 with the assistance of the World Bank. He noted that more than 1.40 crore women in Bihar have become self-reliant through this scheme.
More Than 2 Fold Increase In Social Security Pension
These announcements come just hours after the Chief Minister raised the monthly social security pension for the elderly, widows, and differently-abled individuals from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,100, benefiting over 1.09 crore people. Earlier this week, the Bihar government also announced the implementation of the domicile policy for the recruitment of 15,000 non-teaching staff in schools, and on June 12, it approved a hike in the honorarium of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
These measures are being seen as a strategic push by the state government to empower women, strengthen rural livelihoods, and respond to public concerns ahead of the elections due later this year.
