Briefing the media after the meeting, the Chief Minister said the next phase of the Mahila Rojgar Yojana aims to strengthen women’s self-reliance by supporting at least one woman from each family in setting up self-employment ventures. Under the revised framework, assistance will be released in two instalments, linked to the utilisation and performance of the initial funding.

Kumar said women who received ₹10,000 in the first phase and successfully started employment activities would be assessed after six months. Based on the assessment, additional financial support of up to ₹2 lakh would be sanctioned. “Funds will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ accounts, and departments have been instructed to ensure proper monitoring,” he said, adding that in cases of strong performance, a lump-sum release could also be considered.

To improve sustainability, the government will facilitate marketing support and link beneficiaries with existing state initiatives such as apparel manufacturing units, Sudha sales outlets and Didi Ki Rasoi centres.

In another key decision, the cabinet approved a significant enhancement of the pre-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students from the 2025–26 financial year. The revised rates will benefit around 27 lakh students studying in Classes 1 to 10. Annual scholarships have been increased to ₹1,200 for Classes 1–4, ₹2,400 for Classes 5–6, ₹3,600 for Classes 7–10, and ₹6,000 for residential students. The estimated annual expenditure is ₹519.64 crore.

The cabinet also cleared higher grants under the Chief Minister Backward Class and Extremely Backward Class Hostel Scheme, doubling the monthly assistance to ₹2,000 from 2025–26. Additionally, the income ceiling for the Backward Class Meritorious Scholarship Scheme will be raised to ₹3 lakh from 2026–27.

On the infrastructure and culture front, approval was granted for a music college in Dumraon, Buxar, named after Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, with a revised outlay of ₹87.81 crore.

To strengthen policing, the cabinet sanctioned the contractual recruitment of 17,000 retired personnel from the Indian Army and central paramilitary forces in 2026–27, along with enhanced honorarium for Special Auxiliary Police personnel.

Officials said the decisions underline the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, educational access and internal security.