NEW DELHI: Seventy-five lakh women across Bihar have received Rs 10,000 each in their bank accounts under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana — a one-time working capital grant to set up small businesses. The scheme promises up to Rs 2 lakh in installments in later phases, depending on how the ventures perform.

For a poor state where the inflation-adjusted per capita income is about Rs 3,000 a month, the infusion is no small sum. Bihar had nearly 5 crore women in the 2011 Census, a number now projected at around 6.4 crore.

The virtual launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, turned into more than a policy rollout. Women beneficiaries addressed him as “Bhaiya”, and spoke of how access to capital, housing, healthcare, gas cylinders, and electricity had reshaped their daily lives.

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