Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Institute for Management Development, Mysore

Socially Relevant Project 2018-2019

Report on
Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project

Submitted to
C.V. Sridhar
Manager-Administration
SDMIMD, Mysuru

Guided by
1. Mrs. Vishalakshki, Principal, SKDRDP, Mysuru
2. Mr. Vishwas V Shetti, BC Project Officer (Regional Co-ordinator),
SKDRDP, Mysuru

Submitted by:
Group No. 25
Sl No. PGDM No. Name of the Student
1 18105 Pavan Kumar K
2 18106 Pratik B Bathia
3 18107 Rishwin Raj
4 18109 Siddarth M
5 18110 Srinivas Prasad R
Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................ 2
2. INTRODUCTION OF THE ORGANIZATION ............................................................. 2
3. STAKEHOLDERS OF SKDRDP .................................................................................. 4
4. OBJECTIVES OF SKDRDP .......................................................................................... 5
5. ACTIVITIES OF SKDRDP ........................................................................................... 5
6. FINANCIAL STATUS OF SKDRDP ............................................................................ 9
7. MANPOWER STRENGTH OF SKDRDP ................................................................... 10
8. ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE STUDENTS ......................................................... 10
9. RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................. 10
 Acknowledgement
The completion and success of this Socially Relevant Project largely depended upon the people
who have given us an opportunity to understand the HRM Training Centre and SKDRDP,
Mysore. In this section we would like to mention a few who helped us to add a new perspective
to our thinking through SKDRDP.

First and Foremost, we are thankful to SKDRDP, Mysore for letting us commence our SRP
with them. Our guide Mrs. Vishalakshki, Principal, SKDRDP, Mysuru and Mr. Vishwas V
Shetti, BC Project Officer SKDRDP, Mysuru was of great help for us and other employees of
the organization were also warm and helpful.

We are also thankful to our internal guide, Mr. C.V Sridhar for his support without which this
project would not have been as smooth as it turned out to be. We thank our college, our Director
and all those involved in the implementation of SRP

1|Page
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report helps us to understand about the functioning of SKDRDP and the stakeholders
involved in it. It also gives a brief explanation about the financials of the organization. The
main objective of the organization is to make everyone self-sustainable. They have several
different programs in which women are empowered and encouraged and helped to establish
their own business and financial support is also provided and there are some other programs
also which is conducted by SKDRDP. This report also gives us a brief idea about the
stakeholders involved in the whole process and how value is added to the stakeholders. The
manpower, strengths and constraints of the organization also gives us understanding of the
working and the operational activities of the organization. The report also contains the activities
conducted by the SHG’s group members in different parts of Karnataka State. An exclusive
interview was given by the some of the farmers who were benefited by SKDRDP and also by
the officials at SKDRDP. Insights about the workings of an NGO and the difficulties and the
challenges faced by the NGOs. The motivation, patience is the much-required attributes to be
a part of NGO like SKDRDP

2. INTRODUCTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

This Organisation is one of the major programs that is conducted by the Sri Kshetra
Dharmasthala. They have been convicted to different other programs for the benefit of the
society like educational trusts, educational societies, medical societies, SKDRDP and many
more. This project is mainly considered on the programs and processes that is carried out in
the SKDRDP Department. What is SKDRDP? Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development
Project. This is a charitable trust established in 1982, aimed at undertaking rural development
activities in various parts of Karnataka. The organisation is promoted by Dr. D Veerendra
Heggade (trustee of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala – a renowned temple in the region). The trust
had 122 branches with a portfolio size of Rs.2567 crore as on September 30, 2013. This
program is also better known for the various activities like SKDRDP as a BC and BF of the
banks, Promotion of Self-help groups, financial performances of SHGs, agricultural
development, self-employment, renewable energy program, sanitation and hygiene, in
association with proper waste management in Chikmagalur, Sanitation units, housing,
charitable activities, sampoorna suraksha health insurance program, shuddha ganga project,
Shri Dharmasthala Siri gramodyoga samsthe, Insurance programs, National pension scheme,
Jana jagruthi program, Nirantara pragati monthly magazine, Jnanavikasa women

2|Page
empowerment program, GELATHI: a family counselling centre, SRI program, SSI program
and many more. Helping the Self-Help groups by providing the microfinance services to them
for the livelihood and better productivity of the famers and poor people is the main objective
of the SKDRDP.

This project has the major purpose of learning the organisational structure in the SKDRDP and
the processes they carry down to make them as better than anybody else in the microfinance
services. Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, popularly known as
SKDRDP, is a charitable trust promoted by Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade. SKDRDP concentrates
on the empowerment of people by organizing Self-help Groups (SHGs) on the lines of Joint
Liability Groups (JLGs) and provides infrastructure and finance through micro credit for the
rural people. The Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project encompasses all
aspects of enriching the rural life. It is currently expanding its developmental activities to all
the districts of Karnataka. SKDRDP is active with its Community Development Programs
throughout the state. The core strengths of the organization are the blessings of its promoters,
dedicated band of workers, good will of the stakeholders and above all a comprehensive
program to better the living environment of the chosen areas. During the Financial year 2015-
16 SKDRDP has extended its area of operation to cover the state of Karnataka completely.

SKDRDP is registered under the Charitable Trust Act of 1920 in the office of Sub-Registrar,
Government of Karnataka, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District in the year 1991.

SKDRDP began to play its role in transfer of technology, providing infrastructure, and
providing finance through micro credit. Besides, the project concentrated on the empowerment
of rural women and hence began 'Jnanavikasa Program'. In response to the social needs of the
area the SKDRDP innovated into activities like Janajagruthi, Community Development, Siri
etc.

At the time of inception, a village-level worker known as 'Sevaniratha' would approach the
stakeholder families, sit with them to prepare a five-year development plan and assist them to
implement the same. The Dharmasthala temple has given the required material support like
equipment, seed materials on a charity basis. In keeping with the HR policy of the organization,
the supervisory staffs were promoted from the sevaniratha cadre in the prevailing areas. This
provided a great opportunity for the youngsters to show their oraganisational skills in the new
area. Now sevaniratha are replaced by Sevaprathinidhis.

3|Page
In order to give opportunities to the housewives and unemployed young women in rural areas
who have time and inclination to do social work, SKDRDP has developed a new cadre called
the Sevaprathinidhi, who work in their spare time and support the SHG movement in the
village. Most sevaprathinidhis are women and this has positively affected women men ratio in
the organisation. Now sevaniratha are replaced completely by Sevaprathinidhis.

Large quantities of rice were distributed during the initial decades as a compensation for the
families while they worked in their own lands. The concept of 'Food for work' was implemented
by SKDRDP, with a view to develop the lands. Thus, the initial decade of SKDRDP can be
considered as the charity phase.

In the early 90s, on review of the project, it was realised that mere charity does not give the
desired result. Hence SKDRDP adopted the self-help mode by organizing Self-help Groups
(SHGs), more on the lines of Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).

3. STAKEHOLDERS OF SKDRDP

 Government: The Central Government and State Government are able to implement all
their policies aimed at providing financial support to the underprivileged through
SKDRDP.
 Banks: Banks provide loans to the SHGs on the basis of the information received from
SKDRDP.

4|Page
 o Functions:
 Opens savings bank accounts for SHGs
 Sanctions loans to SHGs
 Provides deposit and withdrawal facility to customers
 Provides liquidity rebalancing facility to the BC
 Pays service fee and commissions to both BC and to TSP
 Society: SKDRDP play an important role in SHG formation, linking the groups with
the banks, arranging for loans and imparting training to start income generating
activities. People are the important stakeholders of SKDRDP as SKDRDP helps SHGs
in various functions like Loan Disbursement, training facilities etc.
 Employees: SKDRDP’s success is basically due to the support and dedication of the
employees at various levels.
o Functions:
 Forms SHGs
 Opens SHG accounts on behalf of the bank
 Processes and recommends loan application forms of SHG members
 Cash management - deposit and withdrawal funds. Loan disbursal and repayment
on behalf of the bank
 Monitors loan repayments
 Train field staff on bank products, processes and cash handling
 Reconciliation of cash collection reports with bank statement

4. OBJECTIVES OF SKDRDP

Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project is committed for the upliftment of
poor, marginalised, under privileged, impoverished and downtrodden and they are close and
accessible to their target groups. To achieve this, they concentrated on 3 main things for
Individuals. They were Loans, Insurance & Pensions which ushered Financial Stability.

5. ACTIVITIES OF SKDRDP

 SKDRDP as a BC and BF of the Banks

 SKDRDP took an active part in implementing the Financial Inclusion plan of the
Government of India by working as Banking Correspondent and Business
Facilitator (BC and BF) in several districts of Karnataka.

5|Page
 Under the programme SKDRDP is promoting Self Help groups enabling the poor
people in the remote villages to access banking facilities at their door steps.

6|Page
 Promotion of Self-Help Groups
 A total number of 38,800 SHGs were promoted during the year 2015. As on 31st
March 2015 a total of 3,06,940 SHGs were active. There is a 14% growth in the
number of SHGs promoted during the year. The total number of members
associated with these SHGs was 31.86 lakhs

7|Page
 Financial performance of SHGs
 A total of Rs. 355.00 crores were saved by the SHGs during the year taking the total
savings since inception to Rs.779.00 crores. During the period, the groups have
availed a loan of Rs. 3,479.00 crores from various banks to meet their financial
needs.
 Agricultural Development
 Self-employment
 Around 1,99,600 members have taken up self-employment in various fields like
transport, business, service etc.
 Renewable Energy Program
 Sanitation and Hygiene
 Programs are implemented to create awareness among the people on keeping their
villages clean, disposing the wastes and civic sense in general.
 Housing
 The public is financially assisted under micro finance for house repair, new
construction, extension and renovation, electrification of the houses etc.
 Sujnana Nidhi Scholarship Scheme
 Providing with a monthly scholarship ranging from Rs. 400 to 1,000/- per month
for taking up higher technical education.
 Destitute Pension
 Providing pensions ranging from Rs. 500/- to 1,000/- per month for families who
are in dire straits to enable them to buy food and medicines.
 Sampoorna Suraksha Health Insurance Program
 Shudda Ganga Project
 This is a unique project where the drinking water in remote rural villages are
purified by removing the toxic fluoride content and hardness.

8|Page
  Shri Dharmasthala Siri Gramodyoga Samsthe
 This is a producer organization registered under section 25 of the Indian companies
act and promoted by SKDRDP. It is working in 295 villages having production
centres run by SHG members. Products like readymade garments, Agarbathi,
confectionaries, travel bags, cleaning agents and areca leaf cup etc are produced and
sold under the SIRI brand.
 Jana Jagruthi Program
 Jnanavikasa Women Empowerment Program
 'GELATHI': A family counselling centre

6. FINANCIAL STATUS OF SKDRDP

The total outstanding of loans of SKDRDP is ₹8356 crores. A total of Rs. 355.00 crores were
saved by the SHGs during the year taking the total savings since inception to Rs.779.00 crores.
During the period, the groups have availed a loan of Rs. 3,479.00 crores from various banks to
meet their financial needs.

9|Page
7. MANPOWER STRENGTH OF SKDRDP

8. ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE STUDENTS

During the course of SRP, we had the opportunity to meet various SHGs in and around Mysuru.
We discussed, learnt and observed the working of each SHG. On Day 2, we visited the cash
collection point near Srirangapatna. The use there we found was that the FINO servers were
down due to updating of data in FINO servers, due to which the payments were done and
recorded manually but not being updated in banks. We interacted with individual group
members about the advantages and how SKDRDP is helping them in improving their
livelihood. On Day 3, we visited CHSE centre where the equipment for various farming
applications where given for rent at lower cost. The policies of Government have affected the
working the CHSE because the farmers are provided with the Agricultural equipment free of
cost by the governments.

Our objective was basically to study the financial activities of SKDRDP and give
recommendation to improve the same. We planned to give recommendation regarding the
same.

9. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. As we found at the regional office of SKDRDP Mysuru there were lot of offline or
paper work done in the organization even though they have the digital infrastructure
built. When asked regarding the same the response to it was that no more paper work
can be reduced. The recommendation is too reduce the paper work as the number of
documents generated in the process are more and storage of the documents occupies
space and retrieving information is a tedious process.
2. The Payment sheet given to the bank for the approval of loans can be digitalized by
Collaboration of the information system of SKDRDP and the bank servers.
3. The Cash Officers can be given on the job training along with the regular training that
are given in the classes to make them understand the advantages of online entry rather
than offline.

10 | P a g e
PART B

11 | P a g e
PAVAN KUMAR K -18105
1. What Impact the SRP had on you and how it has influenced your world-view?
The one-week time spent in the SKDRP organization was valuable especially the knowing
about the real world. The group supported me throughout and made feel a part of their
organization for that particular period of time. From the first day we were guided at each and
every step. We were introduced to all members in the district office, from them we could learn
about the organization structure of SKDRDP and how it performed its duties. They had a proper
and well-established hierarchy system where each people knew their responsibilities very well.
When we went for field visits, attended group meetings of self-help groups, talked with them
we gained lot of information from them. Every meeting we attended we could see full
attendance; every group member was present for a meeting. We also got to learn about what is
the minimum number of members to be there in one particular group. We also got to know how
the collection happens. Now coming to the women empowerment groups, we could see how a
group performs They are provided loans by the banks in collaboration with SKDRDP, but the
central attraction is though people have so much money they do not use it effectively, but this
group members have used it such efficiently and they are quite happy with their life now. This
one week was very useful and helpful in understanding how non-profit organizations are
working compared to the profit centered organizations. Overall it was a great learning
experience to me.

2. Issues of societal problems and the empathy created in your group concerning the
issues.
Some of the people said that it would be better if the process of collecting money and other
activities are done digitally. Along with that they don’t have a database that can track the
records of old transactions which were done 10 years ago. Instead of having database which
can keep records of old transactions they are just keeping it in a storage room where you can
find 10-15 years of old records. But this is time consuming process. As a group when we
suggested this idea of having a database, they said that not many of them are technology
friendly, many are still comfortable using manual work. The concern created in our group was
that people want to work and sustain their lives by themselves but they lack in facilities like
good infrastructure from the government and issues related to monetary funds. As a group we
should encourage individuals and organizations to contribute for social activities and help
people to sustain their lives.

12 | P a g e
 PRATIK B BATHIA – (18106)

1. What Impact the SRP had on you and how it has influenced your world-view?
Answer: The main purpose of SRP is to instil and develop ethics, social responsibility and
philanthropy – values. Due to SRP as an individual, I understood how an organization, which
is helping in improving lives of the people in distress, works and how it impacts the people
involved and the society at large. The whole project was well planned and structured. On day
1, we were given the insights about the organization i.e. organization structure, people
involved in the functioning of the organization, the IT infrastructure implemented by the
organization and how the implementation of IT has improved the operations. On day 2, we
had the opportunity to visit the collection centres where we could see how EWI were
collected from the groups against the loan amount. On Day 3, we visited a bakery that was
started by a member of group by taking loan from the bank through SKDRDP, and how this
changed the life and improved the standard of living. On Day 4, we visited a CHSE centre
were the equipment of farming are given for rent on hourly basis. I understood, how this
initiative had impacted the farmers as they need not lend huge amount to buy the equipment,
instead can rent the equipment and get the work done. And also, in recent years, the
programs, and schemes of Government have impacted the utilization equipment of CHSE. On
Day 5, we attended a program, where training was given to the Cash Officers. It gave us
insight of the problems faced by SKDRDP during its operations, how the equipment is mis-
used.

2. Issues of societal problems and the empathy created in your group concerning
the issues.

Answer: Earlier, people used to get loans from money lenders at high interest rates, and there
was no access for them to the banks. Due to the initiatives of SKDRDP, the following problems
are being solved. Since, SKDRDP has SHGs which is group of around 8-10 women, this
initiative has help in empowering the women residing in the villages. And the best thing relate
to BC concept is that, this program is helping the village people cultivate the habit of savings.
The impact of Shud Ganga Project is immense. The people of the village have less problem
related to Kidney after the implementation of the project.

13 | P a g e
RISHWIN RAJ – 18107
Impact of SRP

I would like to begin by thanking SDMIMD and our faculty guide Mr. Sridhar CV for providing
me and my team an opportunity to work in this socially relevant project, which has given me
lot of insights on Self-help Groups and their functioning and also how SKDRDP helps SHGs
in their betterment. The Socially Relevant Project (SRP) which was assigned to us, was to study
the functioning of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP).

There are wide range of programs under SKDRDP but we mainly concentrated on Self-help
Group and Pragati Bandhu Group, and we had been to different locations in and around Mysore
and had interacted with the SHG, PBG group members and various area level officers and had
been to some of their collection points as well. During the field visits we could see the real time
meetings of SHG and PBG groups and their commitment towards the program and we also
went to their collection points and collected the information regarding loan disbursement and
weekly savings of the different SHG’s. And we had visited their Shudhaganga drinking water
plant which gave us an idea on how their daily operations work.

I got a very good insight on the organizational structure, how departments in a non-profit
organization work and how they are interdependent on each other. And I got to know more
about the SDM trust and their charity which is being done since ages. During all our
interactions, I found that the employees were very social and provided us with all the
information we sought. It was an enriching experience for me as they gave information about
how the entire system is working and how they are monitoring all these activities.

I have learned that we, as individual contributing to the rural development to the best of our
ability by providing the basic knowledge, skills, education and health-care can empower the
rural people, though the number might not seem big, it will certainly be big of a contribution
if every urbanized individuals starts helping the other individual living in rural places and it
would eventually result in the reduction of poverty, illiteracy and contribute to the development
of a nation as a whole.

14 | P a g e
Issues of Societal Problems

The societal problems faced by rural population is almost same all over India. Some of the
societal problems are education, health, rural development, standard of living, employment,
women empowerment etc. There is a program for almost all of the above-mentioned problem
which is run by SDM Trust. With SHGs, SDM is encouraging women to stand on their own
and thus empowering them. Due to inefficient management, return on investment might not be
achieved in certain groups and they might experience discontinuation of instalments paid
because of less or no return and to solve this issue they should measure the performance of
each group at a regular interval and recommendations and solutions should be given after the
evaluation.
Six days of work at SKDRDP as a SRP was valuable and helpful for me in knowing how
different a non-profit organization is working when compared to profit centred
organizations. I personally feel that SKDRDP should continue doing its commendable
work towards the society, but at the same time they have to create an awareness among the
people of Karnataka about the functioning of organization. Most importantly stress upon
the importance of rural development which will enhance the growth of our nation.

SIDDARTH M – (18109)
Impact of SRP

First and foremost, I would like to thank SDMIMD and SKDRDP for providing me and my
teammates an opportunity to have a very enriching experience at SKDRDP. I would also like
to thank our faculty guide Prof C.V. Sridhar for the continuous support throughout the project.
The SRP has helped us to realise our responsibilities towards the society and has given me lot
of insights on SHGs and their functioning and also how SKDRDP helps SHGs in their
betterment. Having been in Mysore all these years I never knew that such groups existed in
rural and the urban areas of Mysore. SKDRDP has facilitated the rural people with
opportunities of self-employment. This is all done with an objective to empower the rural
economy and also contribute to the development of the nation. SRP has helped me understand
the micro-finance aspects like, how the loan is issued to SHGs and how that could help them,
how the repayment of loan is done by the members and how the upgradation takes place and
how it would be beneficial for the organization and not result in loss. And by doing so, how it
can contribute to the social causes. India can get rid of poverty and unemployment if the system

15 | P a g e
follows like the SKDRP group. The people who actually should gain the benefits are not being
reached out and it is my duty as a citizen of this country to make create an impact. Educating
the people who need to know the process or activity is a must, because they are the ones who
are going to take over and function. The importance of farming is a must to be realized by us
because that is the food, they produce for us for which we survive on. Our country is slowly
adapting the frozen food culture like the usage or the chemical made food which is very harmful
to us. The self-help group has created opportunities for the ladies and due to which employment
is getting created. With the business and services of the ladies not only they are benefiting, but
the people around them who require it are also gaining from it After meeting certain farmers
and various other business holders I started to analyse more expansion and growth for them
cause their talent and offerings creates a lot of value which will benefit outside. With limited
knowing’s they can perform so well, then with more and more inputs and resources they can
be the best.

Issues of Societal Problems and empathy created in the group concerning

the issues

The societal problems faced by rural population is almost same all over India. Some of the
societal problems are education, health, rural development, standard of living, employment,
women empowerment etc. Even though the organization train the SHG members on various
Human Resource functions many of the members lack basic education. Prior to joining SHGs
some of the people used to borrow money from money lenders who charge huge interest rates
and after joining SHGs they said that it is easy for them to borrow money and repay as the
interest rate is very low comparatively. One of the issues that is out of the control of the
organization is lack of rainfall, while we visited one of the field visit, farmers there told us that
due to lack of rainfall this year cultivation was really tough and due to that they had less profit
this year.

The empathy created in our group results in various thoughts and ideas:

 A common goal should be made and communicated for each SHG.

 Needs and wants of each and every member should be identified.
 Awareness camps should be organized on a regular basis.
 NGOs can also play an important role in empowering women by providing education,
financial help, training etc.

16 | P a g e
  Groups of same interest should be compiled so that they can help each other and
increase their efficiency.
 Surveys can be done to get more insight.
 Continuous monitoring of each group should be compulsorily done.
 Performance of each group should be measured at a regular interval.
Recommendations and solutions should be given after the evaluation.

SRINIVAS PRASAD R - (18110)

Impact of SRP
The Socially Relevant Project (SRP) which was assigned to me, was to study the functioning
of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP). Prof. Ram Kumar
Dhurkari was the faculty guide. We were assisted by Smt Vishala and Sri Vishwas who was
the Project Manager – HRM (Training) of SKDRDP Project, Kuvempunagar, Mysore.

The programs under SKDRDP were numerous but we particularly studied and focused on Self
Help Group (SHG) and Pragati Bandhu Group (PBG). I have studied about SHGs earlier but
to practically involve in it was an altogether experience. The SHGs of SKDRDP is different
and much better from the usual SHGs. In normal SHGs, there are no regular meeting, no strong
bond between the members as well as the organisations, no regular check-ups etc. But in
SKDRDP’s SHG, it was operated and handled in much better ways. For instance, there is
regular meeting of the members of the organisation on a particular day of every week and every
member must be present. Since every member have to meet and discuss in group, they form a
strong bond between themselves. Also, there is a regular check-up regarding the collection of
loan amount weekly. So, this way SKDRDP is functioning in a much better way than usual
SHGs.

Following are some of the impacts which I feel SRP had on me:

 I get to know more about the SDM trust and their charity which is being done since
ages.
 Particularly in this project, I knew how SKDRDP has been changing the life of the
villagers and helping them solve their problems.
 I was totally amazed to see how smoothly the local women are running and carrying
forward this program.

17 | P a g e
  I think, this is how SKDRDP’s SHGs are empowering women and giving opportunities
to stand on their own.
 In Pragati Bandhu Group (PBG), it is basically for farmers wherein all the farmers of
the group work in one farmer’s field and then move on to others. This is a beautiful
example of how cost-cutting can be done.
 It was good to see that women are opening up and taking the initiative. Also, SHGs
consist of women only, where women are coming up and taking responsibility.

Issue of Societal Problems

The societal problems faced by rural population is almost same all over India. Some of the
societal problems are education, health, rural development, standard of living, employment,
women empowerment etc.

There is a program for almost all of the above-mentioned problem which is run by SDM Trust.
With SHGs, SDM is encouraging women to stand on their own and thus empowering them.
Number of colleges are running under SDM Education Trust and they also provide scholarship
to the needy students. Eye and Dental Hospitals and other hospitals are run under this Trust.
For employment, Trust is encouraging youths by training them under programs like Rural
Development & Self-employment Training Institute (RUDSETI), Entrepreneurship
Development Programs (EDPs) and other programs.

As a group we get to know these societal problems from a closer perspective and this motivated
us to works for the society in the coming future as we ultimately belong to our societies only
and one should forget its root.

18 | P a g e