India, Sept. 7 -- Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday launched a financial incentive scheme for women, the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana- seen as a potentially game-changing move ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

The state cabinet has already approved the plan, and officials said the first instalment would reach the women - one woman from each interested family - to start an enterprise of their choice this month itself and after that Rs.2-lakh more would be given after assessment of their business model.

The Janata Dal-United (JDU) leaders termed the scheme as an extension of programmes for women's empowerment to make them financially independent through entrepreneurship.

The chief minister, flanked by ...