Patna: Bihar is using its cooperative network to expand financial inclusion and create more economic opportunities for rural women. So far, 8,723 women linked with Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have received loans worth ₹32.26 crore.
The initiative is being implemented through the Bihar State Cooperative Bank and District Central Cooperative Banks, with the aim of helping rural women start or expand self-employment activities and move towards greater financial independence.
Cooperation Minister Ramkripal Yadav said the government wants to take financial inclusion to every village through the cooperative system. He said rural women are increasingly using such opportunities to become self-reliant and contribute to Bihar’s development.
Cooperative Network Expands Rural Banking
The Cooperation Department is also using existing cooperative institutions to take banking services closer to rural communities.
A total of 186 dairy cooperative societies, 618 PACS, 19 PVCS and seven other cooperative societies have been developed as banking correspondents. These centres have micro-ATMs, allowing people in rural areas to access basic banking services closer to home.
The expansion is particularly significant for farmers and rural residents who may otherwise need to travel to distant bank branches for routine transactions.
A special one-month campaign has also been underway since August 16 to open new accounts for dairy cooperative societies, PACS, PVCS, other cooperative societies and their members.
Read Also: Bihar to Host Gandhi Film Festival with 7 Rare Films at Bapu Tower
Cooperative Banks Move Towards Digital Services
The state is also upgrading its cooperative banking infrastructure.
CBS upgradation has been completed for all 23 District Central Cooperative Banks and the Bihar State Cooperative Bank. Following this upgrade, services such as mobile banking and internet banking are expected to be introduced soon.
The move is expected to make cooperative banks more accessible and convenient for customers while bringing their services closer to those available through commercial banks.
Insurance Support for Farmers and Families
The Bihar State Cooperative Bank is also providing insurance facilities through IFFCO-TOKIO to farmers and other people associated with cooperative banks and societies.
The insurance support can provide an additional layer of financial protection to farmers and their families, particularly in rural communities where access to formal financial services remains important for economic security.
Cooperatives as a Tool for Rural Economic Growth
The Bihar government’s approach combines credit access, banking services, digital infrastructure and insurance through the cooperative network.
For rural women, access to institutional credit through JLGs and SHGs can help create opportunities for self-employment and income generation. At the same time, banking correspondents and micro-ATMs are bringing essential financial services closer to villages.
The expansion of modern banking facilities could further strengthen this network by making transactions and other services easier for cooperative members.
With ₹32.26 crore already reaching 8,723 women, the initiative highlights the role cooperatives can play in connecting rural communities with formal finance.
For Bihar, strengthening this ecosystem could support women-led livelihoods, improve financial inclusion and contribute to a more financially connected rural economy.
Read Also: Bihar Flood Relief: 2.51 Lakh People Fed Through 190 Community Kitchens
