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 emphasized 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 MFIs
Provide timely availability of larger loans
Support 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 transfers
Direct bank deposits into the accounts of Jeevika Didis
Enhanced transparency and accountability
To 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 faced financial constraints. Jeevika nidhi will:
Strengthen entrepreneurship among SHG members
Reduce reliance on predatory lending
Encourage 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 businesses
Lower interest rates compared to traditional microfinance
Promotion of financial literacy and wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital banking
Strengthening 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 enterprises
Encourage innovation in rural businesses
Promote 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..jpg)
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