Government determined to make women of every village in Bihar economically self-reliant: Shron Kumar

Patna, November 11: (ABN) The government has taken a major step towards empowering rural women in Bihar. Under this initiative, Jeevika Swadha sales centres will be opened in all 8,053 gram panchayats of the state. According to officials of the Rural Development Department, the scheme will provide women associated with Jeevika with the opportunity to start their own businesses, enabling them to earn a good income while staying in their villages. This initiative not only provides rural women with a new opportunity to become entrepreneurs but will also ensure easy access to pure milk, curd, ghee, paneer, and other Swadha products for rural residents in their own areas. The entire responsibility of running these centres will lie with Jeevika didis. The entire scheme is being implemented rapidly.

According to departmental data, applications have been received from 7,821 panchayats across the state to open Swadha sales centres. Shortlisting has been completed in 7,129 panchayats, and the final selection of beneficiaries has been completed in 6,933 panchayats. Furthermore, consent letters of 2,449 individuals have been uploaded at the district level, and 3,697 families have been identified in the first phase. Jeevika officials stated that to ensure women do not face any financial difficulties in starting new businesses like Swadha sales centres, financial assistance of up to 60,000 will be provided for basic preparation under the Chief Minister's Women Employment Scheme. Jeevika organisations are assisting in selection and paperwork, while COMFED will ensure the regular supply of milk and other products to these centres. The scheme will strengthen the village economy and empower women to play a significant role in the development of their families. In this regard, Shri Shron Kumar, Minister for Rural Development and Information & Public Relations, said, "Our determination is to ensure that women of every village in the state become economically strong and are included in the mainstream of development. The establishment of Jeevika Swadha sales centres is a historic step by the government towards women's empowerment. It will provide thousands of Jeevika didis with new opportunities for self-employment. Now, village women will not be limited to just earning a livelihood. They will become successful entrepreneurs. They will also take the lead in the development of their families and society."