Patna: The state govt and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will jointly launch a statewide financial literacy and investor awareness campaign, beginning with Jeevika self-help groups. The initiative aims to promote safe investment practices and protect people from cyber financial fraud.The initiative was discussed at a high-level review meeting chaired by chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit, who directed officials to prepare a detailed roadmap for its early implementation. He said, “Bihar’s per capita income was steadily rising and its economic growth rate remained higher than the national average, but participation in mutual funds and the securities market was still below the national average.”Amrit suggested that the campaign begin with Jeevika self-help groups and later be extended to probationary officers to strengthen financial awareness at both the grassroots and administrative levels.Under SEBI’s Project Jagruk, the national campaign, ‘Samajh Se Investing Simple’, will be rolled out in Bihar. SEBI and its partner institutions, including market intermediaries and the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), will provide study material and a Hindi-language training framework without imposing any financial burden on the state government.According to an official release, separate strategies will be devised for rural and urban areas. In villages, awareness programmes will be conducted through gram panchayats, self-help groups, Jeevika didis and rural markets. Farmers, women and youth will be educated about fraudulent schemes promising quick returns, safe KYC practices and mechanisms for reporting financial fraud.In urban areas, workshops will be organised at colleges, universities and workplaces in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur. Young people and professionals will be sensitised to fake trading apps and misleading investment advice circulated through social media and financial influencers.The meeting on Friday also highlighted the growing threat of cyber financial fraud. Citing NCRB data for 2024, officials said financial fraud accounted for a significant share of cybercrime cases in Bihar. The campaign will also educate citizens about using SEBI’s grievance redressal portal and other official channels to report complaints and seek assistance.
