SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SELF HELP GROUPS FORMED BY NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs) IN RURAL PUNJAB
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Date
2011
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present study was conducted to study the growth and to assess the impact of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) promoted Self Help Groups (SHGs) on various socio-economic parameters of the member households in Punjab state. Five NGOs were randomly selected and further four SHGs were selected randomly from each NGO making a total of 20 groups and out of these five members each were selected making a total sample of 100 respondents. The reference year of the study was 2012-13. The results of the study showed that in Punjab up to March 2012, 17543 SHGs were linked with credit to the extent of ` 1588 million and a total of 48 NGOs were working as SHG Promoting Institutions (SHPIs). SHGs had the impact on saving, income, assets formation, employment, and other social aspects of the members. An average of ` 5414 was being saved by the members annually after joining the SHGs, which is almost 2.6 times more than the amount saved in pre SHG situation. After joining the SHGs, average annual income of the members increased to ` 82960 showing about 29 per cent increase from the pre SHG situation. The average value of assets increased to ` 80279 in post SHG situation showing an increase of 39 per cent over the pre-SHG situation. About 88 per cent of the members were engaged in various economic activities after joining the groups. Majority of the members revealed that their influence on economic resources, decision making ability and the status of their family in the society had increased after joining the groups. The major problems faced by the members were found to be the lack of training and capacity building, non-cooperation from the banks and marketing problems. The study suggested that the socio-economic impact of the SHG led to increase in income and employment. But it requires a lot more efforts on part of the Government, NGOs as well as the banking sector to promote SHGs in the state. There is a crucial need to focus on awareness programmes, imparting training and developing entrepreneurial skills among the rural poor.
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