By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar’s Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, has announced the launch of the ‘Mai-Behan Maan Yojana’, a welfare scheme aimed at empowering women in the state, should the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) government come to power in 2025. Under this scheme, women in Bihar will receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500.
Speaking to journalists in Darbhanga on Saturday, Tejashwi Yadav stated, “With the blessings of the crores of mothers and sisters of Bihar, we have decided to start the ‘Mai-Behan Maan Yojana’ when our government is formed. This initiative will fulfil the dream of a ‘prosperous woman, happy family,’ and pave the way for a new and progressive Bihar.”
Targeting Women’s Welfare: Lessons from Other States
The announcement comes in the wake of similar successful schemes like the ‘Ladli Behan Yojana’ in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and the ‘Maiya Samman Yojana’ in Jharkhand, highlighting a growing trend among political parties to prioritise women-centric programmes. These initiatives have demonstrated significant electoral advantages and socio-economic impact.
Empowering Women for a Better Bihar
Tejashwi Yadav underscored the importance of women’s economic empowerment in building a prosperous state. He said, “Women play a critical role in household and community development. Cash transfers not only provide relief from inflation but also enable women to invest in nutritious food, healthcare, and education for their families. This creates a multiplier effect, benefiting entire communities.”
He added that the proposed scheme would also promote long-term economic opportunities by helping women start small businesses, invest in skills training, and achieve financial independence. Complementary initiatives such as financial literacy training would further enhance the impact of the scheme.
A Vision for Bihar’s Progress
Tejashwi assured the women of Bihar that the ‘Mai-Behan Maan Yojana’ would be implemented within a month of the government’s formation. “This scheme will be a direct and effective step towards reducing poverty, promoting gender equality, and investing in the social and economic potential of marginalized citizens,” he said.
He also emphasised his commitment to fulfilling promises, citing his 17-month tenure during which he claimed to have delivered on every pledge made to the people.
“With this initiative, we aim to make every mother and sister of Bihar self-reliant, happy, prosperous, and healthy. A happy and prosperous woman ensures the well-being of her family, which in turn drives the progress of villages, towns, and the state as a whole,” Tejashwi concluded.
Key Highlights of the ‘Mai-Behan Maan Yojana’
- ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance for women.
- Focus on economic empowerment through cash transfers and skill development.
- Complementary support like financial literacy training.
- Designed to alleviate inflation’s impact and reduce poverty.
Tejashwi Yadav’s announcement marks a significant step in the run-up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, with women’s welfare emerging as a focal point of political discourse
