CM Nitish Kumar Announces 5 Major Decisions After Consulting 1.56 Crore Bihar Women

Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar today held a review meeting of the 'Mahila Samvad' program in 'Samvad' located in the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

In the meeting, Secretary of Rural Development Department Mr. Lokesh Kumar Singh gave detailed information related to the 'Mahila Samvad' program through a presentation. He told that during the Pragati Yatra, the Chief Minister had instructed the officials to go to every village and communicate with women and give them information about government schemes. Also, ensure that those who are not getting the benefits of government schemes get the benefits. Also, get information about the problems of the people and find a solution for them. In the light of the Chief Minister's instructions, 'Mahila Samvad' program was organized at 70 thousand places in all 38 districts of the state from 18 April to 20 June. During this, 1 crore 56 lakh women joined it and put forward their views.

In the review meeting, Shrishti Jeevika Mahila Sankul Level Association, Gopalganj's representative Mrs. Muneja Begum, Aradhana Jeevika Mahila Sankul Level Association, Jamui's representative Mrs. Parvati Devi, Satyagraha Mahila Swavalambhi Sahakari Samiti Limited, West Champaran's representative Mrs. Ranjita Kazi and Sanskar Jeevika Mahila Sankul Level Association, Khagaria's representative Mrs. Pinky Devi presented their suggestions and views. During this, everyone thanked the Chief Minister and said that you have started many schemes for the upliftment of girl students including cycle scheme, dress scheme and scholarship scheme. We got respect in the form of toilets. You formed 'Jeevika' by taking loan from the World Bank and made all of us women self-reliant and gave us a high position in the society. There has been a lot of improvement in our lives and we have reached this point that we are presenting our views in front of you. Many schemes are being run for women from birth to old age. Jeevika Nidhi Bank has been established, the loan received from this is giving a lot of benefit. We women have benefited a lot from the organization of 'Mahila Samvad' program. Those who were deprived of government schemes have started getting its benefits. The reservation you have given to women is leading to the development of all of us and we are getting a chance to represent the society. Awareness has come among women, self-respect and self-confidence has increased. Jeevika didis have become self-reliant and are taking their families forward. We thank you and want your blessings to remain like this.

In the review meeting, the Chief Minister said that we welcome all of you in today's meeting. He said that from the very beginning we have emphasized on women empowerment. In the year 2006, 50 percent reservation for women was started in Panchayati Raj institutions and in the year 2007 in municipal bodies. From the year 2013, 35 percent reservation was given to women in the police. Now the number of women in Bihar Police is more than 30 thousand. Which is the highest in the country. From the year 2016, women have been given 35 percent reservation in government jobs. Earlier, the number of self-help groups in Bihar was very less. In the year 2006, by taking a loan from the World Bank, a self-help group was formed in the state which was named 'Jeevika', the women joining it were called 'Jeevika Didi'. The central government of that time saw the work of the Jeevika group here and praised it and ran this scheme in the name of 'Ajeevika' across the country. He said that now the number of self-help groups has increased to more than 10 lakh 63 thousand, in which the number of 'Jeevika didis' has increased to more than 1 crore 35 lakh. Self-help groups are also being formed in urban areas, whose number has reached 36 thousand, in which there are about 3 lakh 80 thousand Jeevika didis. The formation of self-help groups is continuing. The Chief Minister said that from April 18, 2025, 'Mahila Samvad' program was organized in all the districts in which all of you have praised the work done by the state government for women. We have taken important decisions on your important suggestions-

1. The amount of social security pension will be increased from Rs 400 per month to Rs 1100 per month. All beneficiaries will get pension at the increased rate from the month of July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month.

2. Under the Jeevika project, self-help groups will now have to pay only 7 percent interest on bank loans of more than Rs 3 lakh. Self-help groups earlier had to pay 10 percent interest on bank loans of more than Rs 3 lakh. Now after the reduction in interest rate, the additional amount to be given to the banks in the form of interest will be given by the government.

3. Marriage hall will be constructed in every Gram Panchayat for the convenience of organizing the marriage program of girls. These marriage halls will be operated by Jeevika didis.

4. The honorarium of all the workers associated with Jeevika will be doubled. The state government will bear the additional amount of honorarium increase of these employees.

5. 'Didi ki Rasoi' will be operated in government institutions up to the block level.