Patna, June 13 (IANS) A sharp political confrontation has erupted in Bihar over the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, a flagship women‑centric financial assistance scheme that played a major role during the Assembly election 2025.

The scheme had promised financial assistance to women in phases, beginning with an initial Rs 10,000 support amount and eventually extending up to Rs 2 lakh for women engaged in employment and self‑employment activities.

Opposition leaders are now accusing the state government of failing to fulfil those promises even after more than six months in office.

Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the Bihar government’s financial condition had deteriorated severely and claimed the state treasury was virtually empty. He accused the government of deceiving women voters with promises of financial aid during the elections.

Tejashwi Yadav also questioned the government’s decision to withdraw Rs 3,662 crore from the Bihar Contingency Fund for payment of social security pensions covering May, June and July 2026. He argued that contingency funds were generally meant for emergencies and unforeseen crises, and relying on them for pension payments reflected the seriousness of the state’s fiscal condition.

He said that if the government had to depend on the Contingency Fund merely to pay pensions, it indicated an alarming financial situation in the state. He further alleged that corruption was rampant and development works had slowed down significantly.

Prashant Kishor also targeted the ruling NDA government, alleging that women voters were persuaded with the promise of Rs 2 lakh assistance after receiving Rs 10,000 during the election period. He questioned why the promised larger financial assistance had not yet been delivered and claimed women beneficiaries were still waiting for the money to reach their accounts.

The delay in subsequent instalments and differing interpretations of the promised financial support have now become a major political issue between the ruling alliance and the opposition.

The ruling alliance, however, has strongly rejected the allegations.

Union Minister and HAM patron Jitan Ram Manjhi dismissed Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks and said Bihar’s double‑engine government faced no shortage of funds because of support from the Centre led by PM Modi. He added that governments routinely took loans for development works and accused the opposition of misleading the public.

Meanwhile, Bihar Planning and Development Minister Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha clarified that the government had never promised a one‑time payment of Rs 2 lakh. According to him, the total support amount of Rs 2.10 lakh would be provided in multiple instalments under the employment scheme. He maintained that the state treasury was not empty and assured that all commitments made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would be fulfilled by the Samrat Choudhary government.

Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar stated that the government had already provided Rs 10,000 each to around 1.81 crore rural women to encourage employment activities. He said women who had begun livelihood activities would soon receive an additional Rs 20,000 instalment, for which beneficiaries would contribute Rs 5,000 from their own side.

The minister further informed that applications from nearly 18 lakh women in urban areas were currently under scrutiny and, after verification, they too would receive the initial Rs 10,000 assistance.

According to the government, the total financial assistance of Rs 2.10 lakh will be disbursed in five instalments over time.

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana had a significant political impact during the Bihar Assembly elections 2025, with the NDA securing a massive victory.

–IANS

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