Operated by the Minority Welfare Department, Government of Bihar since the financial year 2006-07, this scheme aims to strengthen the economic condition of minority Muslim women who have been abandoned or divorced. The objective is to empower these women and make them self-dependent by providing them with financial assistance.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance:
- A grant of ₹25,000 is provided to eligible minority Muslim abandoned/divorced women.
- Disbursement Method:
- The grant is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through RTGS/DBT.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scheme, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Residency:
- The applicant should be a resident of Bihar.
- Community:
- The applicant must be a Muslim woman from a minority community.
- Marital Status:
- The applicant must fall under one of the following categories:
- Divorced
- Abandoned by her husband for more than 2 years
- Husband is completely mentally handicapped (as evidenced by a certificate from the District Civil Surgeon)
- The applicant must fall under one of the following categories:
- Age:
- The applicant should be between 18 and 50 years of age.
- Income:
- The applicant’s annual family income should be less than ₹4,00,000.
- Marital Restrictions:
- The woman should not have remarried. (Widows are not eligible.)
- One-Time Benefit:
- The benefits of this scheme are available only once in a lifetime.
Application Process
Offline Process
- Collect the Application Form:
- Applicants should visit the office of the District Minority Welfare Officer in their respective district to collect the application form.
- Alternatively, the application form can be downloaded from the department’s official website.
- Complete the Application:
- Fill out the application form and attach all required documents.
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the completed form along with the attachments to the District Minority Welfare Office at the District Headquarters.
- Notices and Publication:
- Advertisements regarding the scheme will be published in newspapers by the Directorate of Minority Welfare.
- The District Minority Welfare Officer will scrutinize the applications as per the prescribed procedure.
- Names and addresses of beneficiaries will be published on the departmental website and in a daily Urdu/Hindi newspaper, and beneficiaries will also be informed via SMS.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport-size photograph
- Proof of Age (one of: birth certificate, matriculation certificate, voter ID, passport, or a certificate issued by an executive magistrate)
- Community Certificate
- Certificate of Abandonment/Divorce or a Recommendation Letter
- Address Proof
- Income Certificate
- Certificate from the District Civil Surgeon (in case of husband’s mental disability)
- Photocopy of the Bank Passbook/Bank Account Details
- Any additional documents as required
Frequently Asked Questions
-
When was the scheme introduced?
The scheme has been in operation since the financial year 2006-07. -
What is the objective of this scheme?
To strengthen the economic condition of minority Muslim abandoned or divorced women and make them self-reliant. -
Who can benefit from this scheme?
Minority Muslim women in Bihar who are either divorced, abandoned by their husband for more than 2 years, or whose husband is completely mentally handicapped. Widows are not eligible. -
What financial assistance is provided under this scheme?
Eligible women receive a one-time financial assistance of ₹25,000. -
How is the financial assistance provided?
The grant is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through RTGS/DBT. -
Can a widow apply for this scheme?
No, widows are not eligible under this scheme. -
Is there any age limit for applying?
Yes, the applicant should be between 18 and 50 years of age. -
What is the income limit for eligibility?
The annual family income should be less than ₹4,00,000. -
Can a woman who has remarried apply for the scheme?
No, the woman must not have remarried. -
How many times can a woman benefit from this scheme?
The scheme provides benefits only once in a lifetime. -
What documents are required to apply?
Required documents include Aadhaar card, passport-size photograph, proof of age, community certificate, certificate of abandonment/divorce/recommendation letter, address proof, income certificate, certificate for mental disability (if applicable), bank passbook copy, and any additional documents as required. -
Where can I apply for this scheme?
Applications must be submitted to the District Minority Welfare Office at your respective district headquarters. -
How will I be informed about the approval of my application?
Beneficiaries will be notified via SMS, and the names and addresses of beneficiaries will be published on the departmental website and in newspapers. -
When will the advertisements for the scheme be published?
Advertisements will be published in newspapers by the Directorate of Minority Welfare. -
Where can I get more information about the scheme?
For further details, refer to the official guidelines, scheme details, and the department’s official website.