Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who gave away cheques to some of the beneficiaries, said the Bihar State Minorities Financial Corporation (BSMFC) has to come up to his expectations.
At a function here, Nitish distributed term loan at minimum rate of interest, financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to divorced or deserted women and incentive money of an equal amount to all the students of minority community securing first division in matric in Patna district.

Women in burqas went up to the dais to receive their cheques, while Nitish walked down to give cheque to a physically handicapped Rumi Khatoon sitting among the audience. Sikh and Buddhists, both men and women, were among the beneficiaries. The term loan has been given for starting small business and the financial assistance to needy and poor women for self-employment. Nitish said these women can learn some skill under the `Hunar' scheme and they will be helped in starting their own business in future.

"It's just the beginning and the amount we are giving to them is not sufficient," said Nitish. He asked the BSMFC to create a record of giving assistance. Since its inception 21 years ago, the BSMFC has distributed only Rs 15.57 crore while only during the last three years almost an equal amount has been distributed.