Latest news with #JEEViKA
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Schemes, subsidies and quotas: Parties scramble to woo women
1 2 Patna: Political parties are stepping up efforts to woo women voters ahead of the assembly elections in the state. On Saturday, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav launched a Rakshabandhan-themed campaign song focusing on women while Union home Minister Amit Shah, a day earlier, praised the 'matri shakti' after laying the foundation for the grand Maa Janaki temple, to be developed at a cost of Rs 890 crore at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi. It is widely believed that women hold the key to the success of any political party or alliance in Bihar. As a result, all parties have rolled out promises tailored to their welfare. Bihar chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena said women's turnout was 59.45% in the state compared to men's 53% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Shah, referring to "Shakti Swaroopa Jagat Janani Maa Janaki", said the country had always worshipped the 'matri shakti' (mother power) and the Punaura Dham temple would be a tribute to personalities such as Mata Sita, Maitreyi, Gargi and Vidushi Bharti. Seeking to connect with women voters, he recalled that during a debate between Acharya Shankaracharya and Mandan Mishra, it was Mishra's wife, Vidushi Bharti, who chaired the discussion owing to her deep understanding of the scriptures on both sides. Shah also pointed out that it was the Narendra Modi govt which posthumously awarded 'Bihar Kokila' Sharda Sinha the Padma Vibhushan in 2025. BJP leader and road construction minister Nitin Nabin said the NDA govt under CM Nitish Kumar had empowered women. "In 2005, Bihar had only 56,498 women teachers, but today they are 2.61 lakh, which is 44% of all govt teachers, marking a growth of over 150%," he said. In recent months, the Nitish govt has announced several measures aimed at women, including an increase in the social security pension for widows and senior citizens. Nitish has often said liquor prohibition was introduced at the request of women. The RJD and Congress have promised Rs 2,500 per month to women under their proposed schemes if elected in 2025. Nitish, meanwhile, continues to bank on initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana, 50% reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions, the bicycle scheme for girl students, 35% reservation for women in state government jobs, pink toilets, pink buses, 'gyms on wheels', women's markets, Kanya Mandaps for marriages of poor girls, girls' hostels, subsidies on e-rickshaw purchases and reduced interest rates for JEEViKA self-help group loans. At the central level, the Modi govt's 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme provides interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for women in self-help groups. Other steps include pay hikes for JEEViKA workers, increased salaries for ASHA and Mamta workers and raising the social security pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month for widows, the elderly and disabled people. Highlighting changes since 2005, Nitin said there were only 893 women in the state police force when Nitish took office. "Today, their number has increased to nearly 29,000. In the recent recruitment, 11,178 of the 21,391 police personnel appointed are women. The women's labour force participation rate has increased from 4.1% in 2017-18 to 30.5% in 2023-24," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Industries dept launches ‘Bihar Idea Festival' portal for startups, students
Patna: Industries minister Nitish Mishra on Monday launched the 'Bihar Idea Festival', a portal for the aspiring innovators, entrepreneurs, startups and students, to share their ideas to promote industries in the state. Mishra said the portal would serve as a dedicated digital platform for them to submit their groundbreaking ideas and business concepts to foster inclusive growth, job creation and startup-led economic development. "The aim of this portal is to collect ideas of innovation, solutions and positive change from every corner of Bihar and provide them a strong platform. Through this initiative, more than 10,000 ideas will be invited from 38 districts. Selected ideas will be provided technical support, consultation, training and resources to move forward," the minister added. It is the govt initiative in association with JEEViKA and others. The minister said the department will initiate this programme at the district level from July 24 by conducting awareness campaigns, leading to a 2-day mega event in Patna in the last week of August. "The winners of this event will get a wild card opportunity to the pitching round for seed funding of Rs10 lakh under the state's startup policy," he said. Additional chief secretary (industries) Mihir Kumar Singh said the focus is on making the entrepreneurial ecosystem more inclusive and accessible by promoting grassroots innovation.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ahead of assembly polls, Bihar government decides to set up halls for poor women's wedding, hike pension
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said his government has decided to construct marriage halls in all panchayat areas in the state to facilitate the wedding of poor women. The Cabinet also decided to increase social security pensions to beneficiaries from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month, and reduce prices of meals at canteens, run by self-help groups, from Rs 40 to Rs 20. The state Cabinet took the decisions at a meeting, chaired by Kumar, ahead of the assembly polls due later this year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo "I am delighted to inform you that our government will construct marriage halls in all panchayats to facilitate the marriage ceremonies of daughters from poor families (of marriageable age ) in the rural areas of the state," the CM said in a post on X. The programme was named 'Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Mandap Scheme'. Live Events "These marriage halls will be operated by JEEViKA Didis. The construction of marriage halls at the panchayat level will greatly benefit economically weaker families, said the CM. JEEViKA Didis are women associated with self-help groups under the World Bank-aided Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project. Aimed at social and economic empowerment of the rural poor, the project is also known as JEEViKA. "The marriage hall will be constructed by gram panchayats at Rs 50 lakh each in 8,053 gram panchayats of the state. The marriage halls will be constructed in a phased manner within a period of five years beginning the current financial year," Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena told reporters. A total cost of Rs 4026 crore would be spent on the construction of marriage halls, he added. The Cabinet also reduced the prices of meals provided at Didi Ki Rasoi' canteens, supported by Jeevika, at all government medical colleges and hospitals as well as various government institutions across the state from Rs 40 to Rs 20 per plate, Kumar said. The state government will compensate Rs 20 per plate, he wrote. The government is committed to providing essential high-quality facilities in all health institutions across the state. We have also decided to implement this arrangement in all district collectorates, sub-divisional offices, block, and circle offices in the state. Instructions have been issued to officials to ensure that people coming from remote rural areas can access pure food at affordable rates, Kumar said in his post on X. The Cabinet decided to set up a committee under the chairmanship of the development commissioner to find ways for disbursing Rs 2 lakh to poor women entrepreneurs. According to the caste survey, 94 lakh out of 2.76 crore families were identified as poor families. The Cabinet also gave its nod to enhance the corpus of bank loan to be given to Jeevika from the current Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh at an interest rate of 7 per cent, the chief secretary said adding that the state government would reimburse the interest rate beyond 7 per cent. The Cabinet decided to increase the social security pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month to be given to 1.11 crore beneficiaries of various schemes, Meena said and added that the decision would incur an additional financial burden of Rs 9,202 crore on the state exchequer. The Cabinet also decided that gram panchayat can now take up works of up to Rs 10 lakh under MGNREGA. Earlier, the limit was Rs 5 lakh for giving administrative approval for work under MGNREGA, the chief secretary said. "It also approved the proposal to give Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia to the next of kin of members of three-tier panchayat raj system and gram kutchery. The ex-gratia will be given in case of normal deaths of panchayat representatives during their tenure," said the chief secretary.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ahead of assembly polls, Bihar govt decides to set up halls in panchayats for wedding of poor women
Patna, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said his government has decided to construct marriage halls in all panchayat areas in the state to facilitate the wedding of poor women. Ahead of assembly polls, Bihar govt decides to set up halls in panchayats for wedding of poor women The state Cabibent took the decision at a meeting, chaired by Kumar, ahead of the assembly polls due later this year. 'I am delighted to inform you that our government will construct marriage halls in all panchayats to facilitate the marriage ceremonies of daughters from poor families in the rural areas of the state," the CM said in a post on X. The programme was named 'Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Mandap Scheme'. "These marriage halls will be operated by JEEViKA Didis. The construction of marriage halls at the panchayat level will greatly benefit economically weaker families,' said the CM. JEEViKA Didis are women associated with self-help groups under the World Bank-aided Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project. Aimed at social and economic empowerment of the rural poor, the project is also known as JEEViKA. The Cabinet also reduced the prices of meals provided at 'Didi Ki Rasoi' canteens, supported by Jeevika, at all government medical colleges and hospitals as well as various government institutions across the state from ₹ 40 to ₹ 20 per plate, Kumar said. The state government will compensate ₹ 20 per plate, he wrote. 'The government is committed to providing essential high-quality facilities in all health institutions across the state. We have also decided to implement this arrangement in all district collectorates, sub-divisional offices, block, and circle offices in the state. Instructions have been issued to officials to ensure that people coming from remote rural areas can access pure food at affordable rates,' Kumar said. Besides, the Cabinet approved a proposal of the Social Welfare Department to increase pension of senior citizens, widows and people with disability by ₹ 700 per month. The beneficiaries will get enhanced pensions of ₹ 1,100 from July. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
JD(U) takes credit for caste census, says nation adopts Nitish's vision
Patna: Amid the political scramble to claim credit for the caste census, the JD(U) has released a new poster virtually crediting itself entirely for the initiative, following the Narendra Modi govt's announcement on Wednesday to conduct caste enumeration alongside the national census. The JD(U) posters, now visible across the state capital, read, "Nitish ne dikhaya, ab desh ne apnaya" (What was envisioned by Nitish has now been adopted by the country). While expressing gratitude to the PM for making a "historic decision" to carry out the caste count, the poster highlights that the enumeration of every caste will help formulate a national policy. Political analyst Ajay Kumar Jha said with caste remaining a central issue in Indian politics, every party is eager to claim ownership. "Well, Nitish may have been advocating for the caste census, but no party objected when the former Grand Alliance govt in Bihar decided to conduct a caste survey. Even the BJP, then in opposition, supported it," Jha told TOI on Friday. "In fact, caste continues to be a major factor in Bihar's political landscape and with assembly elections approaching, no party wants to be left behind," he added, denying any internal rivalry within the NDA over credit for the initiative. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mana Cresta Premium 2.5 & 3 BHK @ ₹1.27 Cr* onwards | Off Sarjapur Road Mana Group Get Quote Undo Interestingly, several of the Modi govt's schemes over the past 11 years appear to have been inspired by initiatives introduced in Bihar under Nitish. Notably, the Rashtriya Gramin Aajivika Mission (National Rural Livelihood Mission) is said to have been modelled after Bihar's widely acclaimed JEEViKA programme, aimed at empowering the rural poor. During his Pragati Yatra, Nitish repeatedly told crowds that the Centre's Aajivika initiative drew its framework from JEEViKA. Analysts further pointed out that other central schemes, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and the SAUBHAGYA (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana), were inspired by Bihar's Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal and Har Ghar Bijli Yojana. Likewise, the Centre's Amrit Sarovar Yojana echoes the state government's Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali programme. "Well, several projects initiated by the Bihar govt, such as JEEViKA and the Nal-Jal Yojana, have been adopted not only by the Centre but also by other states," said political analyst Vidyarthi Vikas on Friday. "Nitish is right in saying that what Bihar does is often later embraced by the Centre," he said. However, Vikas added, "As far as the caste census is concerned, RJD chief Lalu Prasad also campaigned extensively for it, alongside Nitish. More recently, it became a core campaign issue for RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, which led to Bihar's caste survey. So, credit must be shared between Nitish Kumar and Lalu/Tejashwi for the caste census."
