UTILIZATION OF RURAL CREDIT BY TRIBAL WOMEN SELF-HELP GROUP MEMBERS

Abstract

The objective of present study was, to find out the knowledge of women self-help group members about rural credit, utilization of rural credit and problems experienced by them in accessing rural credit. The study was conducted in Shahbaad block of Baran district. The sample consisted of 100respondents, i.e. 30  office bearers and 70 other members from randomly selected  15  self-help  group,  linked  with  Shahbaad  Branch  of  Hadoti Gramin  Bank, Shahbaad. Personal interview technique was used for collecting data. The results of the study indicated that about half of the respondents were in the age group of 30-45 years, belonged to Shariya (only primitive tribes) ST  caste.  More  than  third  fourth  of  respondents  were  educated  up  to  primary  school  and illiterate. Most of the respondents had low socio economic status. Finding of the study reveal that most of the office bearers (97%) possessed good knowledge about rural credit with 75.60 MPS and majority of the SHG members (67%) had average knowledge with 44.26 MPS. Regarding the  utilization  of  rural credit  by  women  self-help  group  members,  majority  of  the  respondents used the loan amount for production purposes. i.e. for establishing shop (general,  attachakki, STD/PCO), papad making, pickle making, stitching, Amla product, woolen item and cot making. Study of problem experienced by women SHG members in accessing rural credit revealed that majority of the respondents reported the problem i.e. difficulties in sanctioning loan on the name of women, time consuming procedure, non-availability of small and immediate loan, illiteracy, inconvenience in repayment, collateral requirement, difficulties in timely repayment of loan installments, apathy of bank personnel and non-possession of documents like ration card/voter deification card.  Credit can do wonders to the rural women living even in remote village in improving their economic condition and protecting them from the clutches of the village moneylenders. With the help of credit they can improve their economic condition, by utilizing the credit for income generating activities. Awareness programme regarding the source of finance and procedure for getting loan should be organized at the village level to provide financial support to the women. The procedure for acquiring credit, especially small loans, for setting up new enterprises or expanding existing ones, should be relatively simple, flexible and easy to the understanding of the rural folk