Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, a cooperative aimed at empowering rural women entrepreneurs. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, and other leaders joined the event.
As part of the launch, PM Modi transferred ₹105 crore into the institution’s bank account. Sharing his vision on social media, he said the government is committed to ensuring that “mothers, sisters, and daughters of Bihar do not lack opportunities.”
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Jeevika Nidhi will provide women associated with self-help groups easy access to loans at affordable rates, reducing their dependence on microfinance institutions that often charge 18–24% interest. Both the Centre and the Bihar government will jointly fund the initiative.
The digital-first system will enable faster, transparent fund transfers directly to the bank accounts of women beneficiaries. To support this, 12,000 community cadres are being equipped with tablets.
Over the years, Jeevika has fostered entrepreneurship among women, leading to the growth of small businesses and producer companies in rural Bihar. With the new cooperative, nearly 20 lakh women across the state are expected to benefit, marking a significant step toward strengthening women-led enterprises.
