Prime minister Narendra Modi is set to
virtually inaugurate the bihar Rajya Jeevika nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited on Tuesday, a significant initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in rural Bihar. This landmark scheme is expected to create a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurship, financial access, and community-led development. Here’s a detailed look at what the Jeevika nidhi is all about.
1. A Major Step for Rural women Entrepreneurs
In a post on his official X handle, PM Modi emphadata-sized the government’s commitment to ensuring that
“mothers, sisters, and daughters of bihar do not lack any opportunities.” The Jeevika nidhi scheme aims to provide
rural women with easier access to funding, allowing them to grow small businesses and contribute to the state’s economy.
2. Rs 105 Crore Transferred for the Initiative
During the virtual inauguration, the prime minister will
transfer Rs 105 crore to the bank account of the newly established institution. This initial fund is expected to kickstart operations and support women entrepreneurs in
establishing or expanding their businesses across rural Bihar.
3. Objective: Affordable and Accessible Finance
The
primary goal of Jeevika Nidhi is to provide easy access to funds at
affordable interest rates for community members associated with Jeevika. Traditionally, women entrepreneurs in bihar have relied on
microfinance institutions charging 18–24% interest, which often makes business expansion difficult. Jeevika nidhi aims to:Reduce dependence on high-interest MFIsProvide timely availability of larger loansSupport long-term entrepreneurship development
4. Membership and Cooperative Structure
All
registered cluster-level federations under Jeevika will become members of the cooperative society. Both the
Government of Bihar and the
Central Government will contribute financially, ensuring a
strong foundation for operational and financial sustainability.
5. Digital-First Platform for Transparency
One of the unique aspects of the Jeevika nidhi is its
entirely wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital operation. This ensures:Faster fund transfersDirect bank deposits into the accounts of Jeevika DidisEnhanced transparency and accountabilityTo facilitate this,
12,000 community cadres are being provided with
tablets, enabling smooth communication, record-keeping, and loan management.
6. Empowering Self-Help Groups
Women associated with
Jeevika’s self-help groups (SHGs) have been driving small enterprises and producer companies in rural areas. Over the years, these SHGs have demonstrated immense entrepreneurial potential but data-faced financial constraints. Jeevika nidhi will:Strengthen entrepreneurship among SHG membersReduce reliance on predatory lendingEncourage sustainable community-led enterprises
7. Impact on Bihar’s Women
With around
20 lakh women expected to witness the inauguration event, the scheme is set to
transform rural entrepreneurship. Benefits include:Easy access to credit for starting or expanding businessesLower interest rates compared to traditional microfinancePromotion of financial literacy and wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital bankingStrengthening of community networks and cooperative business models
8. Future of Community-Led Enterprises
The Jeevika nidhi is not just about loans; it is about
building a sustainable ecosystem for rural women entrepreneurs. By combining financial support, wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital tools, and cooperative membership, the scheme aims to:Accelerate growth of small enterprisesEncourage innovation in rural businessesPromote gender equality and economic empowerment
Conclusion: A New Era for Bihar’s women Entrepreneurs
The launch of
Jeevika Nidhi represents a
transformational step in women’s empowerment in Bihar. By providing affordable loans, wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital tools, and community-based support, this initiative is expected to strengthen entrepreneurship, reduce dependence on high-interest loans, and foster economic growth in rural areas. With proactive participation from the government and thousands of Jeevika Didis,
Bihar is set to become a model state for rural women entrepreneurship in India.