Bihar has become the first state in the country to have 10 lakh self-help groups (SHGs), which are managed by women.
The SHGs have been functioning under Jeevika- a poverty alleviation programme supported by the World Bank.
Jeevika has been operational in the state since 2007 and the aim of the programme has been to empower women and make them self-reliant.
Jeevika model has ensured empowerment of women in a big way, said Bihar rural development department’s principal secretary Arvind Kumar Choudhary.
“It has been a project closer to the heart of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Jeevika model has ensured financial inclusion and empowerment of women in a big way,” reported Hindustan Times quoting Choudhary.
“Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the women of Jeevika worked as bank correspondents and ensured over Rs 543 crore worth transactions through POS machines to take banking to the doorsteps of the needy people in the remotest corners of the state,” he added.
“Besides, it reached out to 1.09 crore households to create awareness, extend a helping hand for relief work, food security, work on sanitation etc.,” he further said.