Tejashwi Yadav promises ₹30,000 annual aid for Bihar women, challenges NDA’s welfare scheme

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday announced that if the Grand Alliance comes to power in Bihar, all women in the state will receive ₹30,000 as annual financial aid in January 2026. The pledge, made just two days before the first phase of polling, is aimed at countering the ruling NDA’s 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana', under which ₹10,000 has already been distributed to over one crore women.

Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Yadav said the entire amount would be credited to women’s bank accounts on Makar Sankranti, January 14, under the ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’. “All the mothers and sisters in Bihar are excited about this scheme. They believe it will bring them economic justice,” Yadav said.

According to the RJD-led alliance’s manifesto, women are promised ₹2,500 per month from December 1 — totalling ₹30,000 annually — for the next five years. However, Yadav said the lump sum payment on Makar Sankranti was decided “on the demand of the mothers and sisters”.

Yadav also reiterated other major poll promises, including a ₹300 per quintal bonus for paddy and ₹400 for wheat over the MSP, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, and ensuring transfer and posting of government employees within a 70-km radius of their home districts. Voting in Bihar will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.