Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday launched an online application portal for the Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme, which aims to provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to more than 94 lakh poor families in the state for self-employment. The scheme was announced by the CM after a caste-based census conducted a few months ago revealed the extent of poverty among various social groups in Bihar.
The portal, which will remain open till February 20, allows eligible applicants to apply for the scheme and choose from 61 projects that have been identified as suitable for small enterprises. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are: the applicant should be between 18 to 50 years of age, and the monthly income of the family should be less than Rs 6000. The beneficiaries of the scheme will also receive training and guidance from the government to start and run their businesses.
Speaking at the launch event, the CM said that the Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme was a unique initiative to empower the economically poor families of the state and help them improve their living standards. He said that the scheme was open to people of all castes and religions, and urged the District Magistrates to publicize the scheme and facilitate the applicants. He also said that the government was ready to spend whatever money was required for the successful implementation of the scheme and that this was the first term of his five-year plan to boost the economy of Bihar.
