Of the 1.25 crore members of the Jeevika Mission in Bihar, around one crore women have received the first instalment of ₹10,000. ThePrint’s Nootan Sharma and Mohammad Hammad visited Nalanda district to see how the money has been spent. Some purchased livestock, sewing machines, and pottery equipment, and others invested in education, or jewellery. They also spoke to economists who said that while the transfer offers short-term relief, without training, markets and credit access, the impact may be limited.
In this ground report, ThePrint speaks to the women transforming the cash into enterprise—and those awaiting the next instalment.