Research Paper
Year: 2019 | Month: July | Volume: 6 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 270-282
Analysis of the Structure and Economic Activities of Self Help Groups under Bank Linkage Programme In the State of Kerala
Anitha P1, Dr. K P Saraswathy Amma2
1Research Scholar, Bharathiar University
2Professor, FISAT Business School, Angamaly, Ernakulam
ABSTRACT
The Self Help Groups Bank linkage (SHGBLP) programme has expanded at a fast pace in India to evolve into the largest microfinance programme in the world, and is the main microfinance programme in India. The study was undertaken to understand the structure and economic activities of Self Help Groups in the State of Kerala. The objectives of the study were to explore the general attributes, to examine the governance aspects and to analyse the economic and marketing activities of group members after joining Self Help Groups. The Study revealed that the beneficiaries of Self Help Groups are mainly women with low income and the major objective of forming group is to promote savings habit among its members, followed by improving the economic status. They maintain good governance, have written rules and regulations, maintain book of accounts, meet regularly, elect their leaders and have transparency in operations, and have no major disagreements among members. Though majority of SHGs participated in the trade fairs or exhibitions organised by Government or NGOs or others, they do not engage in any income generating socio-economic activity. There is need for identifying training agencies and improving the training facilities for undertaking productive or income generating economic activities by the SHGs. They face problems in marketing, challenges being lack of knowledge and pricing. The study reveals that there is need for improving the knowledge of SHG members towards marketing activities, with governmental, NGO and Bank facilitation.
Key words: Self Help Groups, Bank Linkage Programme, microfinance, general attributes, governance, economic, marketing, training, government, NGO, bank, facilitating, income generation, productive use
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