Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited on 2nd September 2025 via video conferencing.
- On this occasion, the Prime Minister also transferred Rs 105 crore to the bank account of the institution.
Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated that this initiative will enable women associated with Jeevika across villages to access financial support more easily, helping them advance their work and businesses.
Need:
» Entrepreneurship has flourished among women associated with Jeevika’s self-help groups over the years, leading to the establishment of numerous small enterprises and producer companies in rural areas. However, women entrepreneurs have often been compelled to depend on microfinance institutions charging high interest rates of 18%–24%.
- The Jeevika Nidhi has been conceived as an alternative financial system to reduce dependence on MFIs and ensure the timely availability of larger loan amounts at lower interest rates.
Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited: Key Points
- All registered cluster-level federations of Jeevika will become the members of the Society.
- For the operation of this institution, the Government of Bihar as well as the Central government will contribute funds.
- The system operates entirely on a digital platform, ensuring faster and more transparent fund transfers directly into the bank accounts of Jeevika Didis.
- To facilitate this, 12,000 community cadres are being equipped with tablets.
This initiative is expected to strengthen entrepreneurship development among rural women and accelerate the growth of community-led enterprises.