Jeevika Didis . File Photo
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Bihar government has stepped up efforts to make women financially independent under the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme. Earlier, ‘Jeevika Didis’ were provided financial assistance of ₹10,000 each. Now, preparations are underway to disburse ₹20,000 per beneficiary as the second instalment.
Officials indicate that the amount is likely to be transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts by the end of April. The selection process has been initiated through an app developed by the Jeevika Didis themselves. According to sources, women who have already started their own ventures will be given priority in the selection list.
Following the first instalment of ₹10,000, a mapping exercise will be conducted to assess how many women have launched their enterprises. Based on this, beneficiaries will be identified for the second instalment of ₹20,000. Women are also expected to contribute ₹5,000 of their own to further expand their businesses. So far, approximately 18.1 million women have received ₹10,000 each under the scheme.
As per available information, Jeevika Didis will receive a total assistance of ₹2 lakh in five phases—₹20,000 in the second phase, ₹40,000 in the third, ₹80,000 in the fourth, and ₹60,000 in the fifth phase. Beneficiaries will be required to provide details of how the funds are utilised at each stage, and subsequent instalments will be released only after verification.
Around 1.9 million Jeevika Didis have applied so far, and the government is preparing to credit ₹20,000 each to their accounts by the end of April.
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