Women associated with Self-Help Groups in Bihar have set a strong example of financial discipline for the entire country. Under the Jeevika scheme, these women took a total loan of Rs 62,628 crore for self-employment activities. The latest official data shows they have already returned Rs 61,751 crore to the banks. The repayment rate stands at 98.6 percent, which is much better than many corporate sectors. The bad loans or NPA is currently just 1.40 percent, and the government plans to bring it below 1 percent this year.
What is the Target for Lakhpati Didis?
The state government is actively working to increase the annual income of women in rural areas. At present, 31.71 lakh Jeevika Didis are officially ‘Lakhpatis’, meaning they earn over Rs 1 lakh every year. The government has set a target to increase this number to 50.21 lakh by March 2026. In the recent Union Budget announced on February 1, the central government also announced the launch of ‘She Marts’ to help these women sell their products directly to customers.
Banking Support and Future Plans
Digital banking has reached remote villages through Bank Sakhis. There are 6,460 Bank Sakhis currently working on the ground, and they have managed transactions worth over Rs 19,955 crore. The government will add 400 more Bank Sakhis soon to improve services. For the coming financial year 2025-26, the focus is shifting towards providing individual loans to 1.5 lakh women to help them become independent entrepreneurs.
Key Statistics at a Glance:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Loan Taken | Rs 62,628 Crore |
| Loan Repaid | Rs 61,751 Crore |
| Repayment Rate | 98.6% |
| Target Lakhpati Didis | 50.21 Lakh (By March 2026) |
| New Accounts Planned | 55,000 |
