Bihar Government Unveils New Schemes to Focus on Women and Youth Ahead of Assembly Elections

Strategic Insights -

The Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar has launched a series of new schemes, including monthly allowances for women entrepreneurs and unemployed youth, as the state prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections. The schemes aim to benefit women and youth, a key constituency for the ruling party, which has been in power since 2005. The government's annual expenditure is set to rise by Rs 40,000 crore due to these new schemes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government has launched a new scheme, Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which will provide Rs 10,000 each to 50 lakh women entrepreneurs enrolled with Jeevika self-help groups on September 22.
  • The scheme aims to benefit 50 lakh women entrepreneurs, with the first instalment costing the exchequer Rs 5,000 crore, and the total cost being Rs 21,000 crore.
  • The government has also expanded the Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana scheme, which will now include an estimated 4 lakh graduates between 20 and 25 years, in addition to the 8.19 lakh beneficiaries between 18 and 25 years who have completed Class 12.
  • The expanded scheme will provide Rs 1,000 per month for two years to the estimated 12 lakh youth.
  • The scheme will cost the exchequer over Rs 2,800 crore over the next two years.
  • The government has also announced Rs 9,300 crore in additional expenditure on raising the Social Security Scheme pensions from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month for 1.11 crore beneficiaries.
  • The state's annual revenue is about Rs 56,000 crore, with its annual Budget standing at Rs 3.2 lakh crore in 2025-26.
  • The debt-to-GDP ratio in 2025-26 is 37%, up from around 30%-32% in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Statistics:

  • Rs 5,000 crore will be spent on the first instalment of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana scheme.
  • The scheme will benefit 50 lakh women entrepreneurs.
  • The total cost of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana scheme is Rs 21,000 crore.
  • The government has expanded the Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana scheme to benefit an estimated 12 lakh youth.
  • The scheme will cost the exchequer over Rs 2,800 crore over the next two years.
  • The government has announced Rs 9,300 crore in additional expenditure on raising the Social Security Scheme pensions.
  • The state's annual revenue is about Rs 56,000 crore.
  • The annual Budget of the state is Rs 3.2 lakh crore in 2025-26.
  • The debt-to-GDP ratio in 2025-26 is 37%.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com