Mail News Service
Ranchi, Feb 7: The Jharkhand government has announced a special self-employment loan of Rs 20,000 for women beneficiaries under the Maiya Samman Yojana, marking another step towards women’s economic empowerment in the state.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the State Bankers’ Committee held on Saturday.
The scheme was presented by Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, who said the initiative aims to make women financially self-reliant and encourage small entrepreneurial activities. Under the plan, women who are already beneficiaries of the Maiya Samman Yojana and receiving Rs 2,500 per month will be eligible for the loan through banks.
Representatives of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), NABARD and major banks operating in the state were present at the meeting.
Banks have agreed in principle to extend cooperation in implementing the scheme.
The government stated that the loan amount can be used to start or expand small income-generating activities such as tailoring, incense stick making, petty shops and other micro-enterprises.
The move is expected to strengthen livelihoods and boost grassroots entrepreneurship among women.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led government described the initiative as a historic step towards empowering women and integrating them more strongly into the state’s economic framework.
