Role of self-help groups in economic upliftment of rural poor women: A study in the village of Haryana

Abstract

Poverty is one of the main problems which have attracted attention of Sociologists and Economists. It indicates a condition in which a person fails to maintain a living standard adequate for his physical and mental efficiency. It is situation people want to escape. It gives rise to a feeling of a discrepancy between what one has and what one should have. The term poverty is a relative concept. It is very difficult to draw a boundary line between prosperity and poverty. To dissolve the problem of rural poverty Self Help Groups are playing a very important role. After joining Self Help Groups 37 respondents (60.7%) explain that their monthly income increased more than four thousand five hundred, 13 respondents (21.3%) say that their monthly income increased between Rs.3001 to Rs.4500, 8 respondents (113.1%) tell that their monthly income increased between Rs.1501 to Rs.3000 and only 3 respondents (4.9%) say that their monthly increased between Rs. Upto 1500. 52 members (85.2%) give positive response regarding growth in monthly household expenses, while 9 members (14.8%) give negative response. 56 respondents (91.8%) are doing saving after joining SHG, while only 5 members (8.2%) give negative response. This shows that majority of the SHGs members have improved their income level. Majority women took loan from the bank and utilize this in a proper way. As a result, they earned money and now they are helpful in contributing additional income to their family’s income.