Vol. 14 No. 1
Growth and performance of self help groups in Punjab
Author(s): S. S. DEVI, S. KUMAR AND B. K. BERA
Abstract: The study investigates the growth and performance of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Punjab based on the secondary data of the number of SHGs in the state and primary data related to amount of savings and credits of the SHGs, frequency of meetings and problems faced by the sample SHGs, respectively. In Punjab up to March 2012, 17543 SHGs were linked with credit to the extent of Rs. 1588 million. The average monthly savings of the sample SHGs were Rs. 1560. The SHGs had an average borrowing of Rs. 121650. Lack of group activities, inadequate support from the NGO providing facilitation and difficulty in maintaining the accounts and records of the SHGs were found to be the major problems faced by the SHGs. SHGs will be able to sustain if they are involved in some form income generating activities. For this a continuous support from the NGOs involved in the formation of SHGs is required.