Social welfare schemes of bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Social Welfare Schemes of Bihar

Since gaining independence, the Bihar Government has formulated numerous programs, schemes, and policies aimed at improving the lives of its citizens. These social welfare schemes are spread across various sectors, including health, social protection, and women and child welfare. According to Article 38 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India, the State Government is responsible for creating and implementing different welfare schemes to ensure socio-economic and political stability in the state. These welfare schemes are the sole responsibility of the state government and do not require support from the court. Both the State Government and the Central Government implement these social welfare schemes. The Bihar Government is actively rolling out various initiatives such as Saat Nishchay, housing schemes, pension schemes, educational schemes, and child marriage prohibition schemes, among others. Some of the key welfare schemes in Bihar are as follows:

Welfare Schemes of the Bihar Government

To achieve comprehensive development in the state, the Bihar Government launched the Seven Resolves or Saat Nishchay on Bihar Day (Bihar Diwas) on March 22, 2015. This initiative is part of the Programme of Good Governance 2015-2020.

The Saat Nishchay comprises integrated and effective developmental programs, which are detailed below:

Aarthik Hal, Yuvaon Ka Bal

This Nishchay includes 5 schemes aimed at improving education, skill development, and job opportunities for the youth of Bihar.

• Students Credit Card Scheme: This scheme offers education loans of up to ₹4 lakh to students who have passed their class 12 examination. Banks provide these loans through student credit cards.
• Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana: Launched on October 2, 2016, this scheme provides ₹1000 per month for two years to unemployed youth in Bihar aged 20-35 years.
• Kushal Yuva Yojana: This program offers theoretical and practical training to unemployed youth aged 15-25 years who have completed at least 10th standard. The training aims to improve their interpersonal and communication skills.
• Bihar Start-up Policy 2017: Under this policy, a Venture Capital Fund of ₹500 crore has been approved to support youth in establishing businesses and nurturing new business ideas in Bihar.
• Free Wi-Fi in Educational Institutions: The State Government has approved the provision of free Wi-Fi in all universities and colleges across Bihar.

Aarakshit Rozgar Mahilao Ka Adhikaar

This scheme focuses on empowering women in Bihar. Since January 20, 2016, the Bihar Government has implemented a 35% reservation for women in all government jobs within the state.

• Women Employment Scheme: Initiated in 2015, this scheme aims to enhance women’s employment opportunities in the state.
• Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal Bodies: The State Government has allocated 50% reservation for women in these bodies.
• Women Police Initiatives: The government has established Women Police Stations, a Women Police Battalion, and reserved 35% of jobs in the Bihar Police Service for women.
• Women Self-Help Groups (Jeevika): These groups, formed under the Jeevika program, aim to boost women’s confidence and self-esteem.

Har Ghar Bijli Lagaatar

Launched on November 15, 2016, this scheme aims to provide electricity to every household in the rural areas of Bihar.

• Approximately 1,387 villages without electricity connections have been identified for this initiative.
• Of these, around 217 villages are located in inaccessible areas, where the State Government plans to provide electricity through renewable energy sources.

4. Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal

The objective of this scheme is to ensure that every citizen in Bihar has access to clean drinking water, without any discrimination. Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal comprises four other schemes launched on September 27, 2016, including:

• Chief Minister Rural Drinking Water Scheme : Aims to provide clean drinking water to all households in Gram Panchayats by 2019-20.
• Chief Minister Rural Drinking Water Scheme (Quality Affected Area) : Focuses on providing piped water to areas affected by iron, fluoride, and arsenic, targeting regions with 500 or more households.
• Chief Minister Rural Drinking Water Scheme (Non-quality Affected Area) : Covers areas where water quality is not compromised or where existing schemes are in place.
• Chief Minister Urban Drinking Water Scheme : Aims to provide clean piped drinking water to all 143 municipal corporation areas in the state.

Ghar Tak Pakki Gali-Naliyaan

This scheme aims to connect all unreached habitations in the state to the nearest paved roads. Ghar Tak Pakki Gali-Naliyaan includes three other schemes launched on October 28, 2016, such as:

• Gramin Tola Sampark Nishchay Yojana : Provides all-weather road connectivity to uncovered villages left out by the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Chief Minister Gram Sampark Yojana (CMGSY).
• Mukhyamantri Gramin Gali Naali Pakkikaran Nishchay Yojana : Focuses on constructing pucca lanes and drains in rural areas, operated by the Panchayati Raj Department.
• Mukhyamantri Sahari Naali Gali Pakkikaran Nishchay Yojana : Aims to link all wards in towns with the nearest paved road, construct necessary roads and drains, and build Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) roads and interlocking paths.

Shauchalaya Nirman Ghar Ka Samman

Launched on November 27, 2016, this scheme aims to provide toilet facilities to all households in Bihar.

Lohiya Swachh Bihar Abhiyan

• Operated by the Department of Rural Development.
• Targets rural households, including Above Poverty Line (APL) families, left out by the Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Provides ₹12,000 to both APL and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families for toilet construction without discrimination.

Shauchalaya Nirman (Urban Areas) Yojana

• Aims to provide toilet facilities to all urban households lacking such facilities.
• Implemented by the Department of Urban Development and Housing in all 143 municipalities of Bihar.

Awasar Badhe, Aagein Padhein

This scheme aims to establish institutions for higher learning, vocational, and technical education at the sub-division and district levels in Bihar.

Proposed Institutions under this Nishchay:

• One General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) school in each district (5 districts already covered).
• One para-medical institute in each district (5 districts already covered).
• One polytechnic institute in each district.
• One Women’s Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in each district.
• One engineering college in each district.
• One nursing college in each medical college in every district.
• One Auxiliary Nurse and Midwives (ANM) school in each sub-division.
• One government industrial training institute in each sub-division.
• Five new medical colleges in the state.

Other Welfare Schemes of the Bihar Government

Other important welfare schemes of the Bihar Government are as follows:

Students and Youth Welfare Schemes in Bihar

Bihar has implemented several ongoing schemes aimed at supporting students and youth in the state. These initiatives focus on providing financial assistance, improving skills, and ensuring access to educational resources.

Civil Seva Protsahan Yojana

• Approved by the State Cabinet on May 15, 2018.
• Objective: To offer cash rewards to SC/ST and backward class students who pass the preliminary exams of UPSC and BPSC.
• Rewards: ₹ 1 lakh for UPSC and ₹ 50,000 for BPSC preliminary exams.
• Application: Candidates must apply online.

Bihar Student Credit Card Yojana

• Launched on October 2, 2016, by the State Government.
• Eligibility: Students who have completed their class 12th examination and are below 25 years of age.
• Loan Amount: Up to ₹ 4 lakh available through credit cards issued by banks.

Kushal Yuva Yojana

• Launched on October 2, 2016.
• Partnership: Collaboration between the Bihar Government and Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL).
• Focus: Enhancing interpersonal communication and soft skills among the youth of Bihar.

District Registration and Counselling Centre

• Established on October 2, 2016, with centers in each district of Bihar.
• Purpose: To implement schemes like the Student Credit Card Scheme, Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana, and Kushal Yuva Yojana.
• Facilities: Centres equipped with help desks, waiting rooms, token counters, drinking water, and washrooms for applicants.

Free Wi-Fi in All Universities and Colleges

• Initiative: Providing internet and Wi-Fi facilities in all educational institutions, including universities, colleges, engineering colleges, and medical colleges.
• Purpose: To promote e-Governance, e-Technology, and e-Learning among students.
• Implementation: By BELTRON (Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation).

Social Welfare Schemes in Bihar

Bihar has implemented several important social welfare schemes aimed at providing financial assistance, improving safety, and promoting balanced regional development.

Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana

• Launch Date: October 4, 2018.
• Objective: To assist families not covered by the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana.
• Financial Assistance: Beneficiaries receive ₹ 1.20 lakh to build or improve their homes.

Safe City Surveillance Scheme

• Launch Year: 2017.
• Purpose: To enhance safety and security for women by monitoring public spaces.
• Implementation: Installation of CCTV cameras in major public places to deter and respond to crimes against women.

Mukhyamantri Kshetra Vikas Yojana

• Launch Year: 2011-12.
• Goal: To promote balanced regional development in both urban and rural areas of Bihar.
• Focus: Addressing disparities and ensuring equitable growth across different regions of the state.

Kabir Anteyeshti Anudan Yojana

• Launch Year: 2007.
• Objective: To provide financial assistance for last rites to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• Assistance Amount: ₹ 1,500 to help cover the costs of performing last rites after the death of a family member.

Mukhyamantri Bhikshavriti Nivaran Yojana

• This initiative is part of the 'Saksham' mission by Bihar's Social Welfare Department. It aims to safeguard and enhance the rights of beggars, particularly women. 
• The scheme focuses on their care, protection, development, and socio-economic empowerment through supportive policies and programs.

National Family Benefit Scheme

This scheme offers financial aid to below-poverty-line (BPL) families upon the death of their primary breadwinner. A sum of ₹20,000 is granted when the deceased individual, aged between 18 and 64 years, was the family's main income source.

Bihar State Social Security Pension Scheme

This scheme provides pensions to individuals aged 60-64 from impoverished families with an annual income below ₹5,500 in urban areas and ₹5,000 in rural areas. Beneficiaries receive ₹400 per month, and there are no age restrictions for bonded laborers.

Bihar Ayushman Bharat Yojana

This initiative offers online medical consultations at no cost to patients. Underprivileged individuals receive insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh provided by the Bihar State Government.

Bihar Mob Lynching Victim Compensation Scheme

The Bihar Government compensates families of mob lynching victims with amounts ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh. Additionally, the State Government is committed to taking stringent actions against such criminal activities.

Women and Child Welfare Schemes

The key ongoing schemes for the welfare and development of women and children in Bihar include:

Sapno Ko Chali Chhoone

• This program, initiated in 2009 by Jagran Pehel in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aims to foster gender equality and a gender-sensitive environment among college-going girls in Bihar. 
• In 2011, the Women Development Corporation (WDC) of Bihar took over the implementation of the program, which focuses on providing leadership training on gender-related issues to students. After the training, participants are expected to raise awareness on these issues in their communities.
• The program has successfully covered nearly 50% of the districts in Bihar across nine commissions in its last three phases.

Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana

• Launched in 2007-08, this scheme provides financial assistance to poor families for the marriage of daughters who are 18 years or older.
• Aims to discourage child marriages, promote marriage registration, and encourage girls' education.

Lakshmibai Social Security Pension Scheme for Widows

• Initiated by the State Government in 2007, this scheme offers pensions to widowed women over 18 years of age.
• Provides a monthly pension of ₹400 to widows not eligible for the National Widow Pension Scheme.

Prevention of Child Marriage Scheme

• Implemented under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006, this scheme aims to prevent marriages before the legally permitted age.
• Legal marriage age: 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys.

Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Yojana

• A comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering women socially, economically, and culturally, with a focus on those affected by domestic violence.
• Includes setting up women's helplines, short stay homes, protection homes, and promoting inter-caste marriages.
• All 38 districts have functioning women's helplines offering free psychological and legal aid to domestic violence victims.

Mukhyamantri Sanwasin Vivah Anudan Yojana

• The Mukhyamantri Sanwasin Vivah Anudan Yojana is an initiative by the Department of Social Welfare in Bihar to support orphan girls living in government-run homes. 
• These girls, whose parents and caste identities are unknown and who have reached the marriageable age, receive financial assistance under this scheme. The scheme provides ₹20,000 to each orphan girl, which is disbursed by the superintendent of the home through a cheque.

Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana

• The Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana aims to improve the sex ratio in Bihar by preventing female foeticides and encouraging the birth of girl children. 
• The scheme promotes birth registration and provides benefits only to two girls per family born after November 22, 2007, in Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The state government invests ₹2,000 in the name of each girl in the Child Carrier Balanced Plan of UTI Mutual Fund.

Schemes for Physically Challenged People

Bihar has several schemes and programs in place to support physically challenged individuals. Some of the important ones include:

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Schemes (IGNDPS)

The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme is part of the National Social Assistance Programme and was introduced in Bihar in 2009-10. This centrally sponsored scheme provides a monthly pension of ₹400 to beneficiaries with severe or multiple disabilities.

Bihar Disability Pension Scheme

The Bihar Disability Pension Scheme is a state initiative that offers support to individuals with disabilities not covered under the IGNDPS. Beneficiaries receive a monthly pension of ₹400, with no age limits for eligibility.

Mukhyamantri Nishaktajan Shiksha (Loan) Yojana

This initiative offers educational loans to students with disabilities who aspire to pursue higher professional education.

• The scheme covers various degree, diploma, and equivalent technical and commercial courses recognized by the Government of India, University Grants Commission (UGC), and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Mukhyamantri Nishaktajan Swarozgar Yojana

This scheme provides loans to individuals with disabilities for self-employment and establishing small-scale industries, including agriculture-related manufacturing units.

• Beneficiaries can receive a maximum loan of ₹1.5 lakh at an annual interest rate of 5%.
• Loan repayment begins one year after the loan is sanctioned.
• The scheme is managed by the Bihar State Backward Class Finance and Development Corporation.

Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme)

This centrally sponsored scheme aims to assist needy disabled individuals by providing them with suitable, durable, and scientifically manufactured aids and appliances.

• The goal is to promote their physical, social, and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the impact of disabilities and enhancing their economic potential.
• All aids and appliances supplied under the scheme must be ISI certified.

Scheme of National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

This centrally sponsored scheme aims to encourage physically challenged individuals through national awards in various categories, such as Best Employee, Best Creative Child, and Role Model.

Mukhyamantri Samarthya Yojana

This is a scheme funded by the state government, aimed at aiding the physical, social, economic, and psychological rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.

Beneficiaries under this scheme receive various aids and appliances, including tricycles, hearing aids, calipers, low vision spectacles, and other similar assistive devices.

Scholarship for Disabled Students

The State Government offers financial support in the form of grants and scholarships to students with disabilities to help them continue their education.

• These scholarships are available to students at all levels of education, from Class I to postgraduate studies, and cover vocational and technical courses as well.

Other Important Schemes

Annapurna Yojana

Launched on April 1, 2001, by the Central Government and integrated into the state plan from 2002-03.

Aims to provide food security to senior citizens who are eligible for the National Old Age Pension (NOAP) but are not receiving it.

• Under the scheme, eligible senior citizens receive 10 kg of food grain per month (6 kg of wheat and 4 kg of rice) free of charge.
• The scheme is administered by the Food Supply and Commerce Department of the Government of Bihar.

Indira Awas Yojana

A centrally sponsored rural housing scheme that started on April 1, 1999.

• Aims to provide housing for the poor, specifically those Below the Poverty Line (BPL), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and bonded labourers.
• The government grants ₹20,000 per housing unit in plain areas and ₹22,000 in hilly or difficult regions for house construction.
• Additionally, grants of ₹10,000 are provided for converting a kutcha house into a pucca or semi-pucca house.

Households are allocated under this scheme in the name of a female member of the beneficiary household.

Funding for the scheme is shared between the central and state governments in a 75:25 ratio, respectively.

Integrated Programme for Older Persons

The Integrated Programme for Older Persons was launched by the Central Government in 1992 with the objective of enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens. The scheme focuses on providing essential amenities such as shelter, food, medical care, and recreational opportunities. To support this initiative, the government has allocated up to 90% of the project cost to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the establishment and maintenance of old age homes.

Integrated Child Development Scheme

The Integrated Child Development Scheme, initiated by the Central Government on October 2, 1975, aimed to provide a comprehensive package of six services to improve the health and nutrition of children and mothers. The scheme was initially launched in 33 experimental blocks across the country, including three blocks in Bihar. Currently, it is operational in all 38 districts of Bihar. The six services offered under the scheme include:

• Supplementary nutrition for children aged 3-6 years
• Non-formal pre-school education for children in the same age group
• Immunisation
• Health check-ups
• Referral services
• Nutrition and health education for mothers

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005

• MGNREGA is a significant Indian labour law and social security measure aimed at guaranteeing the 'Right to Work.' Launched by the Central Government, the scheme ensures at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work. 
• If work is not provided within 15 days of applying, applicants are entitled to an unemployment allowance. The funding for this scheme is shared between the Central and State Governments in a ratio of 75:25.

Mukhyamantri SC/ST Udyami Yojana

• The Mukhyamantri SC/ST Udyami Yojana is a scheme sponsored by the Bihar Government to support SC/ST individuals in establishing industries and reducing unemployment among the youth of these communities. 
• Under this scheme, the State Government provides a loan of ₹10 lakh to eligible individuals. Half of the loan amount is interest-free, while the remaining portion can be repaid in 84 easy installments.