DEPTH OF OUTREACH OF SELF HELP GROUPS - A STUDY OF SBS NAGAR DISTRICT OF PUNJAB

Abstract

At present, India is brimming with Self Help Groups (SHGs). Such a growth is though heart warming but this expanded outreach should be examined from the qualitative aspect. The qualitative dimension is studied from the width and depth of outreach achieved. It is good to know how many people are covered under Self Help Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP) but at the same time it is equally important to know that who are being covered under this programme. Are the marginalised being targeted or the better off’s being served? This paper examines the depth of outreach of SHGs in terms of who actually are the SHG members and leaders? This paper studies as to who are the women who join the group and who are excluded or dropped out of the groups. Study was conducted on 100 SHGs of SBS Nagar district of Punjab. This is a questionnaire based study for which 2 women (one member and other leader of the group) were selected to fill the questionnaire. In terms of selected social and economic parameters: wealth rank, caste, economic activity, schooling etc, this paper explores the true beneficiaries of the SBLP. Findings reveal that theory of outreach does not match exactly with the results of the study. Microfinance Policy makers should focus to weed out the disparities as the benefits do not accrue to those who actually need them.

Key Words: Outreach, Self Help Groups, SBLP, Social and Economic Parameters, Microfinance

For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk