Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana: Who Gets ₹10,000 in Case of Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law, What Defines a Family?

The Bihar government’s flagship Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana is set to bring financial relief and empowerment to women across the state. Eligible women will soon receive an initial transfer of ₹10,000 in their bank accounts this month to help them start their own employment or small-scale businesses. But the key question many families are asking is – if more than one woman in the household, such as a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law, applies for the scheme, will both be eligible to receive the benefit?

Scheme Overview

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana is designed to support women financially by providing them with an initial grant of ₹10,000. Over time, beneficiaries can also access loans of up to ₹2 lakh to expand or establish sustainable livelihoods.

Under this scheme, the government has identified 18 types of income-generating activities for which financial assistance will be provided. The rollout begins this September with the transfer of the first installment, ensuring that women can begin their entrepreneurial journeys without delays.

Family Definition in the Guidelines

To avoid confusion and ensure fair distribution, the government has clearly defined what qualifies as a "family" under the scheme:

• A family is defined as a husband, wife, and their unmarried children.

• An unmarried woman whose parents are no longer alive will be considered as a separate family unit.

This definition is crucial because only one woman per family is allowed to claim the benefits. However, the guidelines also make it clear that after marriage, a son’s family is treated as separate from that of his parents—even if they live under the same roof.

Good News for Both Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

The family definition provides an interesting benefit: both a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law are considered separate family units after the son’s marriage.

For example:

• The son, his wife, and their unmarried children are treated as one family.

• The parents of the son are counted as another family.

This means that both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law can independently apply for the scheme and receive ₹10,000 each to start their chosen employment activities.

Additionally, in cases where an unmarried woman lives with her brother and sister-in-law after the death of her parents, she too is recognized as a separate family and remains eligible for the scheme.

Mandatory Link to JEEViKA Self-Help Groups

To avail the benefits of this scheme, women must be registered with JEEViKA self-help groups (SHGs). Without this membership, they will not be eligible for the initial ₹10,000 transfer.

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The woman must be aged between 18 and 60 years.

• No family member should fall under the income tax-paying category.

• The woman must be actively associated with a JEEViKA SHG.

These groups not only provide access to government schemes but also offer financial literacy, peer support, and opportunities to develop small businesses collectively.

Why This Scheme Matters

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana is more than just a cash transfer program. It is a structured initiative to help women achieve economic self-reliance. By providing upfront capital and linking beneficiaries with self-help groups, the scheme is expected to create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.

For households where both generations of women are eager to contribute, the clarified family definition brings double benefits—supporting both the older and younger women in setting up independent livelihoods.

The Bigger Picture

With this scheme, the Bihar government aims to address women’s employment challenges and expand entrepreneurship among women. As more women gain access to resources, training, and financial backing, the program is likely to improve household income levels, reduce dependency, and promote inclusive growth.

Beneficiaries are advised to complete their JEEViKA registrations and ensure all required documents are ready so they can receive the installment this month without delays.