Recovery Notice Under ‘Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme’ Sparks Panic Among Men in Bihar

Patna: A recovery notice issued by JEEViKA under Bihar’s much-publicised Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme has triggered panic among several male recipients after they were asked to return ₹10,000 credited to their bank accounts due to an alleged technical error.

The scheme, widely credited as a major factor behind the NDA’s sweeping victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, has attracted national attention as well as criticism, with opposition parties accusing the government of using financial incentives to influence voters ahead of the polls.

₹10,000 Recovery Notice Issued
According to an official letter issued by the Block Project Manager, JEEViKA, BPIU Jale (Darbhanga), the scheme’s benefits are strictly meant for women members of JEEViKA self-help groups. However, due to a technical lapse, ₹10,000 was mistakenly transferred to the accounts of some male individuals.

One such letter, addressed to a resident of Brahmpur village in Darbhanga district, requests the recipient to deposit the amount back into the designated government account at the earliest. Similar notices have reportedly been sent to other male beneficiaries.

Following the issuance of these letters, panic has spread among recipients. Many reportedly assumed the amount was a government “gift” announced during the election season and had already spent the money.

Political Row Erupts
The issue has snowballed into a political controversy after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shared copies of the recovery notice on its official social media handle. The party alleged large-scale irregularities in the implementation of the scheme and accused the NDA government of rushing fund transfers in a bid to secure votes.

In a strongly worded statement, the RJD claimed that officials were so desperate to influence voters that funds meant for women were transferred to men. The party further remarked that in a state grappling with unemployment, inflation, migration, and poverty, the ₹10,000 would have been spent immediately by recipients, making recovery unrealistic.

The RJD also questioned the Election Commission’s claim that the scheme was pre-planned, alleging vote-buying, administrative misuse, and electoral manipulation. The party has hinted that more disclosures related to the scheme are likely in the coming days.

Public Reactions
The controversy has sparked sharp reactions on social media. Several users criticised the government for distributing funds hastily before elections and initiating recovery soon after. Others questioned the administrative oversight, calling it a sign of poor governance.

It may be recalled that under the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme, ₹10,000 was transferred to women beneficiaries ahead of the elections, with a promise of additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh upon engagement in employment activities. Officials have now admitted that, due to procedural errors, funds were inadvertently credited to some male accounts.