Role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Rural Development with special reference to Jorhat district of Assam
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Women 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