Role of Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) in Socio-economic Development in Rural Punjab
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Date
2009
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Among the various rural development programmes initiated by the Indian government in the last six decades, SGSY is one of the latest programme, aimed at providing financial assistance to the needy ones through self-help groups. The present study was designed to assess the role of SGSY programme with the main objectives to find out the contribution of major activities adopted by the beneficiaries in their socio-economic development and to identify factors for success or failure in different adopted ventures. Thirty self-help groups from two blocks of Jalandhar district were selected and four active members of each group were selected for interview constituting 120 respondents in all. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents belonged to the middle age group, scheduled caste, sikh religion, nuclear families, educated up to matriculation and having annual income less than Rs.50,000. Socio-economic profile of the beneficiaries indicated that the benefits of the SGSY programme were going to the deserving ones. VLWs were the main source of information about SGSY programme and help the respondents in formation of SHGs. Saving was the main purpose of joining the group in case of majority of the respondents. A little above half of the respondents faced problems in loan sanctioning procedure. One third of the respondents had bribed to the VLWs, BDO officials and other concerned personnel in different ways. Football making was the major activity started by the SHGs in Jalandhar district. Regarding impact of SGSY, majority of the respondents had more access to the credit facility after joining the SHGs. Dependence on money lenders was reduced to 29 per cent from 91 per cent which indicates towards the positive role of SHGs in rural areas. Forty five per cent of them felt economically independent after joining the group and reduction in indebtedness was also significant. Majority of them started saving ranging between Rs. 200-800 per month. 52.50 per cent of the respondents were able to create assets under SGSY. Though some of the problems such as excessive stress due to dual responsibility, too many formalities in the banking procedure, marketing problems and lack of training were felt by the respondents, yet most were feeling good after joining SGSY. Confidence, decision-making power and risk bearing capacity of the beneficiaries were increased after joining the group.
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