Role of Self Help Groups & Micro Finance in Rural Development

Microfinance is defined as any activity that includes the provision of financial services such as credit, savings, and insurance to low income individuals which fall just above the nationally defined poverty line, and poor individuals which fall below that poverty line, with the goal of creating social value. The creation of social value includes poverty alleviation and the broader impact of improving livelihood opportunities through the provision of capital for micro enterprise, and insurance and savings for risk mitigation and consumption smoothing. A large variety of actors provide microfinance in India, using a range of microfinance delivery methods. Since the founding of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, various actors have endeavored to provide access to financial services to the poor in creative ways. The range of activities undertaken in microfinance include group lending, individual lending, the provision of savings and insurance, capacity building, and agricultural business development services. Whatever the form of activity however, the overarching goal that unifies all actors in the provision of microfinance is the creation of social value.

Autorentext

Mrs. R. Saraswathi, Asst Prof., Indur Institute ofEngg and Tech, Siddipet, Medak Dist, A.P., India has over 13 years of experience in teaching. She holds M.Com and MBA from Osmania University(O.U). Dr.Ravi Prakash Achanta and Dr.Pawan Kumar Avadhanam are Asst Professors at Institute of Public Enterprise, O.U.Campus, Hyderabad, A.P., India.