'Women empowerment is India's development': PM Modi launches Jeevika Nidhi financial scheme for Bihar; calls it 'very auspicious work'

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited for rural women entrepreneurs in the poll-bound state.

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As part of the launch, the prime minister also transferred Rs 105 crore into the institution’s bank account. He noted that women empowerment is essential for the country's development.

"I congratulate the mothers and sisters of Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar and the NDA government for this wonderful initiative. A major basis of India's development is the empowerment of its women, and to empower women, it is essential that all kinds of difficulties are removed from their lives. That is why we are doing many things to make the lives of mothers, sisters and daughters easier," PM Modi said.

#WATCH | As Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, he says, "...I congratulate the mothers and sisters of Bihar for Jeevika Sahakari Sangh and also congratulate Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and the NDA government of… pic.twitter.com/mLp2W4Tb3z

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2025

"Today, a very auspicious work is being started. The mothers and sisters of Bihar are going to get a new facility. Through this, sisters associated with Jeevika in every village will now get money more easily. They will get financial help. This will help a lot in furthering the work they do and the business they operate," he added.

#WATCH | As Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, he says, "...Today on Tuesday, a very auspicious work is being started. The mothers and sisters of Bihar are going to get a new facility today. Jeevika Nidhi… pic.twitter.com/AUFotX2KM6

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2025

Ahead of the event, PM Modi wrote on X: “We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the mothers, sisters, and daughters of our Bihar do not lack any opportunities. In this regard, I will inaugurate a major initiative for rural women entrepreneurs through video conferencing.”

बिहार की अपनी माताओं, बहनों और बेटियों के पास अवसरों की कोई कमी न रहे, इसके लिए हम कोई कोर-कसर नहीं छोड़ रहे हैं। इसी कड़ी में आज दोपहर करीब 12:30 बजे वीडियो कॉन्फ्रेंसिंग के जरिए ग्रामीण महिला उद्यमियों के लिए एक बड़ी पहल का शुभारंभ करूंगा। https://t.co/1Sulk0I5Kl

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2025

About the initiative

According to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the primary objective of establishing the "Jeevika Nidhi" is to provide easy access to funds to women associated with the "Jeevika" self-help groups.

All registered cluster-level federations under "Jeevika" will become members of the cooperative society. The central and Bihar governments will jointly contribute funds for its operation.

The entire system will function online, enabling faster and more transparent transfers directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. To support the rollout, 12,000 community cadres will be equipped with tablets.