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IJMBS Vol. 2, ISSue 1, Jan. - March 2012

Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women Through SHG-Banking Linkage Programme: A Boon for Development
Lumding College, Lumding, Assam, India
Abstract Micro Finance is emerging as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation and gender empowerment in the economy. The SHG-Bank Linkage Programme has been successful not only in meeting financial needs of the rural poor women but also to strengthen the collective self help capacities of the poor, leading to their empowerment. This study attempts to explore on the much debated question about the role of SHG as a financial intermediary for enhancing women empowerment. A primary sample study has been carried out to capture the realistic experiences and observations from the beneficiaries of SHG (under SGSY) of Nagaon Districts of Assam and most particularly in the Lumding Development Block, Dhalpukuri Development Block and Udali Development Block. The micro finance related loan ailment and its productive utilization found to be causing significant differences in women empowerment levels, analyzed through different statistical tools (Parametric and non-parametric test) from the data so far collected from the sample study. The empirical findings of the study suggest that SHG-Bank Linkage of micro finance programme has a profound influence on the economic status, decision making power, knowledge & self worthiness of women participants of SHG linkage programme in Assam. Keywords Micro Finance, Self Help Groups, Socio-economic empowerment, Women Empowerment I. Introduction Micro finance through Self Help Group (SHG) has been recognized internationally as the modern tool to combat poverty and rural development. Micro finance and SHGs are effective in reducing poverty, empowering women, creating awareness and ensure sustainability of environment which finally results in sustainable development of the nation. Self Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as popular method of working with people in recent years. This movement comes from the peoples desires to meet their needs and determine their own destines through the principle by the people, for the people and of the people. SHGs in social change imply not only the change of outer form of a community or a society but also in the social institutions as well as ideas of the people living in that society. In other words, it also applies to the changes in the material aspects of life as well as in the ideas, values and attitudes of the people. II. Review of Literature Impacts of micro finance on women were addressed by researchers and some important regional, national and international studies are presented here to examine the suitable literature on this issue. National Commission for Women, (2004 [1]), reveals that 30% of the household reported increase in assets after joining SHG mainly in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. (Wadiniale, 2004 [2]), reported that slum women empowered by saving credit programme in Baroda city. The study also reported that SHG programme has increase in monthly household income, 66% women converted their houses
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Sanjay Kanti Das

into permanent structure and many positive impact on health, social and cultural values. Further, a few studies (Wadiniale, 2004 and Shing, 2011 [3]) reveals that there was a drastic change in social status of women after joining the programme and articulated SHG programme as a change agents for social and economic empowerment of rural poor particularly women. (Bokil, 2005 [4]), reported that SHGs were the best place to address the issues of domestic violence and also forwarded arbitration in domestic quarrels and disputes, counseling, facilitation of legal action and also provide moral and motivational support to the victim. (Mukerjee, 2006 [5]), reported that SHGs have positive impact on economic, political, household decision making and awareness level of the members with respect to social and health issues. (Meher, 2003 [6]), and (Ravi & Venkataramana, 2002 [7]), reported that SHGs have a positive impact on elimination of poverty and act as an instrument for empowerment of women through economic intervention. (Siwa, 2008, [8]), reported that the Kudumbashree initiative of the Govt. of Kerala have positive impact on economic empowerment and development of micro enterprise development among the rural women. (Gurumoorthy, 2002 [9]), reported that have the power to create a social- economic revolution in the rural areas of the country and can act as an important tool for socio-economic empowerment of the poor, particularly women (Roy, 2011 [10]). It is also reported that the members of SHGs are prepared to undertake entrepreneurial activities at a smaller level with minimum capital requirements (Kamaraj, 2005 [11]) and can promote self employment opportunities to the rural women (Manimekalai and Rajeswari, 2000 [12]). They reported that women SHG members who took up their own enterprise were contributing more than 50% of their earnings to the households in Andhra Pradesh. Further National Institute of Rural Development on SHG in 2004 (Das, 2010 [13]) reported that about 25% of members of SHGs have taken micro enterprises and generated income of more than Rupees 1000/1500 p.m. The study further reveals that about 85% of the members have awareness about various programmes and activities of health, education, water and sanitation and legal rights. Moreover, more than 82% of the members reported that they are sending to their kid to school and hence, the members of SHG are both socially and economically independent after joining SHGs. (Pati and Benjamin, 2011 [14]), reported that micro finance through SHGs has had a positive impact on income, expenditure and savings of the women clients in Meghalaya. The same observation is also revealed by (Aruna & Jyothirmayi, 2011 [15]), in case of Hyderabad and also reported considerable improvement in self worthiness and decision making level of women members because of participation. (Meetei, 2011 [16]), reported that micro finance through SHGs promoting during the last 10 years in Manipur increases average monthly income earning capacity and in turn saving capacity and effective productivity of SHG members and have ensured better economic life of rural women in Manipur. Centre for Micro Finance & Livelihood, (2009 [17]), in a survey in Arunachal Pradesh reported that though the Micro finance through SHGs have a positive impact but due to low population density , lack of information and training etc the progress of the movement
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is not up to the mark. (Rajendra and Raya, 2010 [18]), reported that the micro finance through SHG have brought higher psychological and social empowerment than economic empowerment. The study reveals that there is a definite improvement of managerial skills, psychological well being and social empowerment among rural women as a result of participating in SHG linkage programme in Tamil Nadu. Finally, APMAS, (2009 [19]), reported that SHG programme in the state of Assam resulted significant social and economic benefits and categorically mentioned that 75% of the group members has experienced increase in saving habits and increase in income, increase in access to formal credit and decline in family debts etc. All together, these studies can be categorized (as below. Some empirical) studies have supported the claims of micro finance programmes and measured the economic and social gains of participation in the programme, at the household or individual or enterprise level (Hossain, 1988; Otero and Rhyne, 1994; Schuler and Hashemi, 1994; Schuler, Hashemi and Riley, 1997; Pitt and Khandker, 1996, 1998; Khandker, 2003). Some studies have contested the claims of the micro finance programmes and cautioned that there exists a trade-off between outreach and sustainability (Adams and von Pischke, 1992; Montgomery, 1996; Rogaly, 1996; Buckley, 1997; Wood and Shariff, 1997; Morduch, 1999).While some studies have estimated the beneficial impacts of microfinance programmes but argued that microfinance programmes largely exclude the poorest (Hulme and Mosley, 1996; Mosley and Hulme, 1998; Diagne and Zeller, 2001). This study differs from the other studies as it covers those SHGs which are established on target approach under SGSY in rural areas of Assam. III. Objectives The study is undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To get an insight about the conceptual and functional framework of Self Help Group. 2. To appraise the workings and role of SHGs. 3. To identify the attitudes of members of SHGs. 4. To evaluate the benefits derived by the members of SHGs and to access the degree of upliftment in the socio-economic status of SHGs and its members. 5. To analyse the relationship between different variables of socio-economic empowerment of women members of SHGs. 6. To make suitable conclusion based on the findings of the study. IV. Methodology In fact this research study is an empirical analysis on the SHGbank linkage programme and their role in socio-economic empowerment particularly women .In this study simple random sampling technique is used covering 200 SHG members from 15 SHGs (each) in the Lumding Development Block, Dhalpukuri Development Block and Udali development Block of the Nagaon districts of Assam. These three development blocks are selected from 18 Development of the districts on convenience sampling method. The members of SHGs (only those who passed Grade I and operating more than 3 yrs) were selected randomly and interviewed with a well structured questionnaire during July, 2010. In fact, the study is limited to three Development Blocks of Nagaon Districts of Assam. The data so collected through supplying questionnaire to the informants are coded, edited, tabulated and presented in the form of tables, mostly two-way, in a systematic manner to enable purposeful analysis & for drawing meaningful

interpretation. The data are analyzed by statistical techniques such as Arithmetic Mean, Standard Deviations, Karl Pearsons co-efficient of correlation, ANOVA, T-Test, Likerts scale and Friedmans Test. V. Analysis and Interpretation of Data A. Socio-economic Profile of the Respondents The respondents of the study mainly belong to the age group of 30-40 yrs as 60.5% of the respondents belong to that group. The respondents in the study cover all sections of society wherein representation of Hindu (64%), Muslims (35%) and Christian (1%) are ensured. Moreover, out of 200 respondents 94 belong to general caste, 65 belong to SC community, 12 belong to ST and 29 belong to OBC and MOBC. Further, 67% of the respondents have completed I-V standard category of education level. Moreover, majority of the respondents are married and they live in nuclear family. The duration of membership of the respondents varies from 3 years to 8 years. However, 47 % of the respondents are members for a period of 5 years, 33.5% for a period of 6 yrs and respondents belonging to 3 yrs and 4 yrs category are insignificant. B. Factors Influencing SHG Members 1. Borrowings from Various Funds and Age Groups The study proceeds to find out what factors influences their membership in SHGs, which is analyzed by considering their borrowings from various funds. It is observed that age and educational level of SHG members are the main factors that influences the borrowings. Again efforts are also made to find out the relation between age of SHG members and borrowing of funds, and between level of education and borrowing of funds. One way ANOVA is used for comparing the average borrowings and different age groups and again, average borrowings and educational level. From Table 1 below, it is observed that an average internal fund borrowing by respondents of up to 30 years is Rupees 10833.65. The age group 30-40 yrs, it is Rupees12087.52, and for the age group 40-50 yrs it is Rupees 9892.59. Hence, it is observed that the age group belonging to 30-40 shows the maximum amount of borrowing recipients from internal funds. Again, it is observed that the average borrowing from revolving funds for age group 30-40 is highest in comparison to other age groups. Table 1: Average Borrowings by Respondents as between various Age Groups Internal Funds No. of Respondents 52 121 27 200 Revolving Funds No. of Respondents Up to 30 yrs 14

Age Up to 30 yrs 30-40 40-50 Total Age

Mean 10833.65 12087.52 9892.59 11465.20

SD 4259.21 6378.20 4302.50 5681.07

Mean 2714.29

SD 468.81
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30-40 40-50 Total

59 14 87

2859.32 2859.14 2835.63

371.91 363.14 386.40

Table 3: Average Borrowings by Respondents as between various Educational Levels Educational Levels No Formal Education Class 1-5 Class 6-10 Class11 and above Total Educational Levels Internal Fund No. of Respondents 19 45 134 2 200 Revolving Funds No. of Respondents No Formal Education Class 1-5 Class 6-10 Class11 and above Total 14 22 50 1 87 Mean 2928.57 2909.10 2774.00 2700.00 2835.63 386.39 SD 267.26 294.24 443.46 Mean 11728.95 12012.00 11288.43 8500.00 11465.20 SD 2861.40 3785.71 6479.36 4949.75 5681.67

Source: Primary Data To find out whether the difference in average borrowings from internal funds and revolving funds is significant as between various groups, f Test is applied and the result of which is tabulated below Table 2. Table 2: ANOVA Test for Age and Borrowings Internal Fund dof Mean Square Between Groups Within Groups Total 2 197 67187505.76 31920098.38

F value 2.105

Sig. 0.125

199 Revolving Fund dof Mean Square

F value 0.820

Sig. 0.444

Between 2 122869.39 Groups Within 84 149926.21 Groups Total 86 Source: Own Computation

Source: Primary Data From the ANOVA Test (Table- 4), it is observed that the f value in case of Internal fund is 0.374 and the corresponding significance value is 0.772 (p>0.05). Again, the f value in case of revolving fund is 1.020 and the corresponding significance value is 0.388 (p>0.05). Thus it is concluded that there is no significant difference in the average borrowings from internal funds and revolving fund as between various educational levels of the respondents. It is therefore concluded that education is not an influencing factor as regards borrowings either from internal and revolving funds. Table 4: ANOVA Test for Educational Levels and Borrowings Internal Fund dof Between Groups Within Groups Total 3 196 Mean Square 12182707.39 32582672.81 F value 0.374 Sig. 0.772

From the Table 2, it is observed that the f value is 2.105 and the corresponding significance value is 0.125. It is thus concluded that there is no significant difference in the average borrowings from internal funds as between various age group of the respondents. Again, in respect of borrowing from revolving fund the same inference can also be forwarded as it is observed that the f value is 0.820 and the corresponding significant value is 0.444. Therefore, it is concluded that there is no significant difference in the borrowings from different funds as between the various age groups of the respondents. 2. Borrowings from Various Funds and Educational Levels To find out whether educational qualification influences borrowing from various funds, below descriptive statistics are forwarded. From the Table 3, it is observed that the average internal fund borrowing by respondents having No formal education is Rupees11728.95 and for Class1-5, it is Rupees 12012 and so on. Similarly, for revolving fund it is Rupees 2928.57 (No formal education) and Rupees 2909.10 (Class1-5) and so on. It is observed that the maximum average borrowing from internal fund is found in the educational level of Class1-5 and the same is found in the group of No formal education in case of the revolving fund.

199 Revolving Fund dof Mean Square

F value 1.020

Sig. 0.388

Between 3 152195.66 Groups Within 83 149195.21 Groups Total 86 Source: Own Computation

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3. Income and Expenditures of SHG Members To find out whether the SHG membership has influenced the income and expenditure of the respondents and their families, the following descriptive statistics are used to forward meaningful inferences. Pairedt Test is used for comparing the family income of the respondents income, food expenditure before and after SHG membership etc. From Table 5, it is observed that the average family income before joining SHGs is Rupees 3849.5, while the average family income after joining SHGs is Rupees 9276.50. Nearly a three time increase is observed due to their participation in SHGs. Table 5: Family Income Before and After Joining SHGs Family Income Before Joining SHGs After Joining SHGs No. of Respondents 200 Mean 3849.5 SD 3140.46

Further, it is observed from the Table 8 that the average food expenditure before joining SHG is Rupees 1151.32, while the average food expenditure after joining SHG membership is Rupees 1980.30. This means that the average food expenditure has increased 12 % due to their participation in SHGs. Again, it is observed that the average non-food expenditures before joining SHG membership are Rupees 1594.05, while the average nonfood expenditures after joining SHG are Rupees 2478.70. This indicates that the average non-food expenditure has also increased by 55 % due to their participation in SHGs. Table 8: Food and Non-Food Expenditure Before and After SHG membership Food Expenditure No. of Respondents Before joining SHG After joining SHG 200 Mean 1151.33 SD 550.85

200

9276.5

6265.33

Source: Primary Data From the Pairedt Test (Table 6), it is observed thatt value is 11.24 and the corresponding significant value is 0 (p<0.05). It is concluded that there is a significant difference between the family income before joining SHGs and after joining SHGs. There is an average increase of Rupees 5427 in the family income of respondents after joining SHG. Table 6: Pairedt Test for Difference in Family Income Before and After Joining SHGs Family Income Before and after joining SHGs Sig. (Two tailed) 0

200

1980.30

2099.22

Non-Food Expenditure No. of Respondents Before joining SHG After joining SHG 200 Mean 1594.05 SD 615.86

200

2478.70

1761.91

Source: Primary Data 4. Nature of Family and Borrowings To find out the relationship between the nature/ types of family and borrowings from various funds following descriptive statistics are resorted to draw meaningful inferences. It is observed from the Table 9 that average amount of borrowings from internal funds by respondents from nuclear family is Rupees 11631.98 while for the respondents from joint family; it is found to be Rupees 10621.21. Again, average amount of borrowings from External Credit with subsidy by respondents from nuclear family is Rupees 14712.40, while for the respondents from joint family, it is found to be Rupees 15918.33. Table 9: Types of Family and Borrowings from Funds Types of Family Nuclear Family Joint Family Types of Family Internal Funds No. of Respondents 167 33

Mean

SD

T value

dof

5427

6829. 78

11.24

199

Source: Own Computation It is further observed from Table-7 that the average income of respondents before joining SHGs is Rupees 450.20, while the average income after joining SHGs is Rupees1367.16. This implies that there is a three fold increase in average income of the respondents because of SHG membership. Table 7: Respondents Income Before and After Joining SHGs Respondents Income Before Joining SHGs After Joining SHGs No. of Respondents 155 155 Mean 450.20 1367.16 SD 320.97 1162.42

Mean 11631.98 10621.21

SD 4504.66 9724.35

Source: Primary Data

External Credit with Subsidy No. of Mean Respondents

SD
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Nuclear Family Joint Family

129 30

14712.40 15918.33

2465.49 2753.41

Source: Primary Data Further, to find out whether the difference between relationship between the nature/ types of family and borrowings from various funds is statistically significant, it is tested byt Test as noted below. (Table 10) Table 10: T test for Type of Family and Borrowings from Both Internal and External Credit F value Equal variance assumed Equal Variance not assumed 4.727 Sig. 0.031 T value 0.934 0.585 Dof Equal variance assumed Equal Variance not assumed 1978 34.76 Sig. (Two tailed) 0.352 0.562 Mean Difference 1010.76 1010.76

C. Impact of SHG Membership Twenty four variables covering the impact of micro finance through SHG on psychological, economic and managerial aspects of rural women were identified. These variables are identified and selected from the survey of literature. The measurement was on Likert scale and scores were assigned for each statement. A high score of 5 was given to strongly agreed responses and low score of 1 was given to strongly disagreed statements. Analysis of the impact of SHGs on the psychological, economical and social well being i.e. empowerment is presented in the following table. Table 12: Impact of Micro Finance through SHG Sl. Nos A. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Variables Psychological well being: Improvements in Courage Self confidence Self worthiness Skill development Improvement in the literacy level Awareness on children education Awareness on health and sanitation Awareness on food and nutrition Awareness about the environment Happiness and peace in the family Economic improvements Women are economically and socially empowered. Micro finance reduces poverty Women undertake Micro enterprise/ Income generating activity Employment opportunities in rural areas Mean 4.087 4.23 4.22 3.42 4.14 4.26 3.89 0.603 0.561 0.661 0.588 0.629 0.521 SD Rank 2

Source: Own Computation It is observed thatt value is 0.585 and the corresponding significance value is 0.562 which is greater than 0.05. Thus, it is concluded that there is no significant difference in the average borrowing from different funds. 5. Motivating Factors to Join SHGs As to the motivating factors for joining SHGs, the respondents have been asked to assign rankings for various reasons. To find out overall rankings in the order of preferences, Friedmans Test was conducted, the result of which is shown in Table 11. Table 11: Friedmans Test Result for Motivating to Join SHG Frequency Financial difficulties Unemployment problem Chance to use own talent Other reasons Significant Value Source: Own Computation It is observed chance to use talent is the primary reason to join SHGs followed by other reasons. Majority of the respondents have expressed the urge to save while in SHG as the secondary reason. The third and fourth ranks are assigned to financial difficulties and unemployment problem. The Friedmans Test for the above indicated a significant value of 0.172 (p>0.05) which implies that there is no significant differences in variations as between rankings of the respondents.
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4.25

0.761

4.21

0.909

4.17

0.836

10 B.

3.72 3.85

0.740 3

Mean Rank 2.98 3.16 1.78 2.00 0.172

Assigned Rank 3 4 1 2

11

4.52

0.965

12

3.43

0.922

13

4.29

0.794

14

4.05

0.959

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15

C.

16 17 18

19

20

21

22 23 24

Creation of assets in rural areas Social and Managerial aspects Managerial abilities of women Role in decision making Groups management Sustainability and cohesiveness of the groups Awareness about trainings organized by NGO Setting micro enterprises/ Income generating activity Participation in democratic institutions Expressing opinions freely Moving independently

2.98

1.191

Table 13: Overall Impact of SHG Members Variables No. of Respondents (P/C of Total) 200 (100%) 6 (3.00%) 191(95.5%) 3 (1.5%) 200 (100%) 31 (15.5%) 169 (84.5%) 0 200 (100%) 3 (1.5%) 197 (98.5%) 0 200 (100%) 78 (39%) 122 (61%) 0

4.094

4.02 4.32 4.12

0.768 0.735 0.667

3.78

0.736

4.07

1.089

4.32

0.728

a) Income Level Average Good Very Good b) Assets and wealth Average Good Very Good c) Awareness Level on Health, Social and Cultural Values Average Good Very Good d) Standard of Living Average Good Very Good Source: Primary Data

4.06 3.68 4.48

0.949 0.745 0.647

Source: Primary data It is observed from the Table 12, that social and managerial aspects ranks first followed by psychological well being and than economic improvements. However, impacts on the different variables are self explanatory from their individual mean and standard deviation. Further, to ascertain the impact of SHG membership on the income level, possession of assets and wealth, awareness on health and cultural values are presented in tabular from below (Under 3 Point Scale only) to draw conclusion about the respondents opinion in percentage. Table -13 indicates the opinion of the respondents on the increase in the income level of the respondents.95.5% of the respondents have expressed good satisfaction over the increase in income level after joining SHGs. 84.5% of the respondents have reported good in the increase in assets and wealth after joining SHG. Further, 98.5 % of the respondents have expressed good increase in awareness level on health, social and cultural values due to joining on SHGs. Moreover, 84.88% of the members of the SHG have expressed a good improvement in their improvement in income, assets, standard of living of the members and increase awareness level on health, social and cultural values after joining SHGs.

Therefore, it is concluded that there is a good improvement in income, assets and wealth, increase awareness level on health, social and cultural values, and standard of living of the respondents after joining SHG. Further, to ascertain whether education level plays an important role in this context. It is therefore, resorted to cross tabulation method to get a clear idea. The Table-14 shows that cent percent belonging to No formal education, 91.9% and cent percent belonging to class 1-5; 96.3% belonging to class 6-10 and 100% belonging to class 11 and above have expressed that there is a good increase in income level because of joining SHG. Table 14: Educational Levels and Opinion about Increase in Income Educational Levels No Formal Education Class 1-5 Class 6-10 Class11 and above Total 6 (3.0%) Avg. 0 4 (8.9%) 2 (1.5%) Good 19 (100%) 41 (91.9%) 129 (96.3%) 2 (100%) 191 (95.5%) 3 (1.5%) Very Good Total 19 (100%) 45 (100%) 134 (100%) 2 (100%) 200 (100%)

3 (2.2%)

Source: Own Computation Lastly, in order to find out whether there is any significant correlation between education and level of satisfaction regarding the increase in income, increase in assets and wealth, and increase in awareness level on health, social and cultural values due to joining SHGs,
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Karl Pearson and Spearman Correlation co-efficient are obtained and the results are stated in Table 15. It is observed that there is significant relationship between the level of education and increase in the income level of the respondents since p<0.05. Similarly, there is significant relationship between the level of education and increase in the assets and wealth of the respondents since p<0.05. On the other hand, there is significant relationship between the level of education and increase in awareness level on health, social and cultural values of the respondents since p<0.05. Table 15: Correlation between Level of Education and Different Variables Correlation Coefficient value

Variables

T value

Sig

Level of Education & Increase in Income Interval by Interval 0.445 (Pearsons) Ordinal by Ordinal 0.441 (Spearman) Level of Education & Increase in Assets and wealth Interval by Interval 0.540 (Pearsons) Ordinal by Ordinal 0.476 (Spearman) Level of Education & Awareness on Health, Social and Cultural Values Interval by Interval 0.614 (Pearsons) Ordinal by Ordinal 0.521 (Spearman) Source: Own Computation

respondents of Lumding Development Blocks, Dhalpukuri Development Blocks and Udali Development Blocks are well empowered though both these blocks has different level of socioeconomic conditions. In fact, age and education are not having any influence on empowerment as well as on managerial skill development among rural women. Further, impact of SHGs is appreciable in bringing confidence, courage, skill development and self worthiness in rural areas, particularly women. There is appreciable development in planning, coordination, decision making and financial skills among the leader respondents, but the effect of SHG on communication, organizing, competency and technical, marketing skills and entrepreneurial skills is moderate only. Finally, there is a definite improvement of managerial skills, psychological well being and social empowerment among rural women as a result of participating in micro finance through SHG programme. Considering all these parameters of women empowerment it can be stated that the empowerment is achieved through SHG in the districts among the rural women flock. References [1] National Commission for Women,Effectiveness of women SHG in Micro enterprises development in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, New Delhi, 2004, pp. 202. [2] Wadilniale, Saroj. M.,Slum women empowered by SHGs, Social Welfare, Vol. 51, No.5, 2004, pp. 31-35. [3] Singh, S. Dilan,Self Help Group and Micro-enterprise Development towards Savings Habits with special reference to Manipur, Seminar BIRD in collaboration with IIBM on Microfinance in North East, 2011, 28th - 29th January, Guwahati, pp. 76-89. [4] Bokil, Milind., Ending Domestic Violance: SHGs can help, Pune : Development Support Team, 2005, pp. 32. [5] Mukerjee, Tuhin,Impact assessment study of SGSY programme on empowerment of women at Babpur village, Vidyasagar School of Social Work, Kolkata, 2006, pp. 83. [6] Meher, Shibalal,SHGs and poverty in Orissa, Bhubaneswar: Nabakrushna Choudhary Centre for Development Studies, 2003, pp. 142. [7] Ravi,R. Venkata, Venkataramana, M.,Empowerment of women through SHG: a micro level study in AP, Council for Social Development, 2002, pp. 53. [8] Siwa, B R.,Gender framework analysis of empowerment of women: a case study of Kudumbashree programme, New Delhi, NIPCCD, 2008, pp. 85. [9] Gurumoorthy, T.R.,SHGs-Economic Empowerment through Self-Reliance, Social Welfare, Vol.49, No.7, 2002, pp. 1417. [10] Roy, S.,Extending microfinance services through SHGs: An Assessment of Self Help Groups particularly Assam, Seminar BIRD in collaboration with IIBM on Microfinance in North East, 2011, 28th - 29th January, Guwahati, pp. 2639. [11] Kamaraj, J.M. Arul,Self-Help Groups New Mantra for Empowerment, Readers Shelf, Vol.2, No.2, 2005, pp. 1316. [12] Manimekalai, N., Rajeswari, G.,Empowerment of Women through Self-help Groups, Margin, Vol.32, No.4, JulySeptember 2000, pp. 74-77. [13] Das, Sanjay Kanti,Micro finance and NER-A review, DGCCs Journal of Commerce, Vol-VII, No.1, 2010, pp. 106-120.
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3.386 3.857

0.035 0.041

3.78 3.48

0.041 0.038

5.4 5.14

0.034 0.041

V. Conclusions Thus, it is concluded from the analysis that the role of micro finance through SHG for women empowerment is praiseworthy. It is observed that educated middle aged women show keen interest in joining SHGs. The primary motive behind such is the chance to show their talents and the urge to save money for future use. All members seem to borrow from the revolving and internal fund irrespective of the education level .It is interesting to note that many have expressed good improvement in the level of income, assets and wealth and also in their standard of living. The study concludes that SHG have brought higher psychological and social empowerment than economic empowerment. The
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IJMBS Vol. 2, ISSue 1, Jan. - March 2012

ISSN : 2230-9519 (Online) | ISSN : 2231-2463 (Print)

[14] Pati, A. P, Lyngdoh, Benjamin F.,Microfinance and Socioeconomic change: an Assessment of Meghalaya. Seminar BIRD in collaboration with IIBM on Microfinance in North East, 2011, 28th - 29th January, Guwahati, p 12-17. [15] Aruna, Joythirmayi,The role of micro finance in women empowerment: A study on SHG-Bank linkage programme in Hyderabad, Indian Journal of Commerce and Management Studies, Vol. 11, No. 4, May 2011, pp. 77-85. [6] Meetei, K. I.,The impact of MF accessibility through group initiative to Rural Women in ManipurA case study, Seminar BIRD in collaboration with IIBM on Microfinance in North East, 2011, 28th - 29th January, Guwahati, pp. 16-21. [7] Centre for Microfinance & Livelihood,Micro finance in North East India, CML Quarterly, Vol. 1, No. 1, JulySeptember, 2009, pp. 8- 23. [8] Rajendran, K., Raya, R. P.,Impact of micro finance: An empirical study on the attitude of SHG leaders in Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu, Global Journal of Finance and Management, Vol. 2, No.1, 2010, pp. 59-68. [9] APMAS,Quality and Sustainability of SHGs in Assam, sponsored by NABARD, Sept. 2009, [Online] Available: http://www.apamas.org Sanjay Kanti Das obtained his M.Com degree from Gauhati University, Assam and awarded UGC NET in Commerce. He is presently pursing research work in the field of micro finance under Assam University (A central University), Assam. He is associated with the committee of courses of studies and also associated with various academic and professional bodies (Indian Commerce Association, North Eastern Economic Association etc). Recently he has been awarded the honour of brand ambassador of Trans stellar Journal Publications and Research Consultancy Pvt. Limited. He has authored and edited reference books on micro finance and rural development besides academic books. He has to his credit a good number of research articles, review articles, seminar papers, chapters in books etc on varied subjects and most particularly in Banking, Micro Finance, Rural Development and Gender Issues etc, published in local, national and reference books. His research article is also published in International Journals of repute like European Journal of Business and Economics (Prague, Czech Republic), Research Journal of Economics, Business and ICT (UK), Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences (USA). Besides, he has organized national seminars under the sponsorship of IIPA, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, GOI and UGC. His areas of research interest include development economics, banking, finance and rural development. He is presently Head, Department of Commerce, Lumding College, Lumding, Nagaon, Assam affiliated to Gauhati University, Assam.

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InternatIonal Journal of ManageMent & BusIness studIes

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