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ThesisItem Open Access Role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Rural Development with special reference to Jorhat district of Assam(2021) RAJASRI, SADALA; Das, Manju DuttaWomen empowerment has become a meme in the global governance network. In this context, SHGs have emerged as the tools that wield power to creat a socio-economic revolution in the rural areas of our country. SHGs set as the building blocks of organizing poor and disadvantaged households in the community. SHGs have not only produced tangible assets and improved living condition of members but also help in changing much of their outlook, world view and attitude. The present study entitled Role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Rural Development with special reference to Jorhat district of Assam with the objectives: i) To study the organizational structure and functioning of the selected SHGs, ii) To find out the various sources of fund and their pattern of expenditure, iii) To study the impact of selected SHGs on socio-economic empowerment of rural women and iv) To explore suggestions for the effective functioning of SHGs in improving the socio-economic status of rural women. A sample of 60 SHGs consisting of 300 members have taken to study the various aspects of the SHGs. A multistage purposive cum simple random sampling method was adopted. It was found that most of the SHGs (76.67 per cent) were promoted by Government organizations, established during the year 2000-2005 (50.00 per cent), had constitution for conducting their regular activities (93.33 per cent) and members belonged to residents of the same village where SHGs were located. Majority of the SHG groups (66.66 per cent) had 10-15 members. Nearly 50.00 per cent of the SHGs did not have any fixed tenure of service of office bearers. Higher percentage of respondents from SHGs were motivated for avail the loan (90.00 per cent). It was found that meetings were conducted on monthly basis. Majority of the SHGs (83.34 per cent) expressed of holding the meetings in the afternoon. 66.67 per cent SHGs reported that there is no fixed time of the duration of SHGs meetings. 93.34 per cent were conducting meetings at their office bearers residence. 58.33 per cent of SHGs were reported to impose no fine for absenteeism followed by 33.33 per cent SHGs imposed penalty of Rs. 5 and 8.33 per cent of Rs.10 for absenteeism . 88.33 per cent of the SHGs were found to be regular in their contribution towards savings. Monthly interest rate was 2 % for 75 per cent of selected SHGs. 58.33 per cent charged 5% from outside group members. 90 per cent SHGs had kept records with respect to internal loan and interest (95.00 per cent). Majority of the SHGs (55.00 per cent) did not to have provision of verification of accounts for which misunderstanding among the members were seemed to be developed gradually. 50.00 per cent of SHGs received training on maintenance of records. Majority of the SHGs did not received any kind of training for proper function of SHGs. 73.33 per cent SHGs were found to raise their income mainly from government fund to implement some socio-economic activities, while, 70.00 per cent relied on its membership subscription. 73.33 per cent had spent their funds in traveling to collect important information, attending meetings, visiting banks etc. from different related organization/institutions. 54.66 per cent of the respondents belonged to middle aged (between 36-55 years). 50.33 per cent of rural women in SHGs were holding 1.0 acre-4 acres of land, educated upto HSLC (40.33%) followed by primary school( 41.00 %) Independent profession was the major occupation (47 per cent) of the members of SHGs. Majority (82.00 %) of the SHGs members belonged to nuclear family. Rural women moved from their house for social visit, attending bank, and block which were ranked as I, II, and III. After joining SHGs, all the respondents were empowered to take decision on marketing of prepared products (100%) and 49.33 per cent of members had medium level of risk bearing abilities. Job reservation for women and punishing wicked husband, compulsory family planning and inter caste marriage were ranked as I, and II and III which were strongly approved social issues by all rural women. Lack of awareness regarding functioning of SHG ranked (I) with mean score 1.98 followed by lack of adequate training provided by the linked agencies, and lack of vocational/skill development training ranked (II) with a mean score 1.96 are the major problems faced by members. Majority of the respondents increased decision making power within their household (66.00%). medium (62.00 per cent) level of self confidence, not interacting with officials (53.33%) whereas after joining in SHGs, 13.33 per cent and 33.33 per cent sometimes had interacted with outsiders followed by not faced any family violence in their respective household (50%). It was also revealed that the status of access to amenities were increased (37.05%) after joining SHGs. 68.67% respondents were encouraged to take loans from SHGs / Govt. fund after joining SHGs. 70.00 per cent SHG members have increased their asset value after joining SHGs. The awareness of members about selection of micro enterprises (rank 1), and organize need based intervention programmes were (rank II) suggested by Government, NGOs officials and knowledgeable persons
