A statewide campaign will train Jeevika self-help groups, officials, students and professionals to spot dubious schemes, verify investments and report cyber-enabled financial fraud.
The Bihar government and the Securities and Exchange Board of India have agreed to work together on a statewide push to improve financial literacy, encourage safer investing and reduce the risk of cyber-enabled fraud, according to an official statement released on Friday. The plan was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, who asked officials to prepare a detailed implementation roadmap.
According to the Cabinet Secretariat, the campaign will begin with Jeevika self-help groups before expanding to training for probationary officers, in an effort to build awareness both at the grassroots level and within the administration. The initiative, titled “Samajh Se Investing Simple”, will run in Bihar under SEBI’s Project Jagrook, which is aimed at making investing easier to understand and helping people avoid fraud.
SEBI has said the campaign also includes the Mentoring of University/College Students by Trainers programme, known as MUST, and an official WhatsApp channel designed to support investor education. The regulator has said study material will be provided in Hindi, along with training support, without any financial burden on the state government.
The rollout is expected to be tailored to local conditions. In rural areas, awareness work through gram panchayats, self-help groups, Jeevika Didis and local markets will focus on spotting dubious investment schemes, using proper know-your-customer checks and reporting fraud. In cities such as Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur, workshops will target students, young people and working professionals, with a particular emphasis on fake trading apps and misleading investment tips circulating on social media. The meeting also highlighted the rise in cyber financial fraud and the need for people to use SEBI’s grievance redressal portal and other official reporting channels, citing National Crime Records Bureau data for 2024.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
