DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABILITY OF SELF HELP GROUPS AMONG WOMEN IN HARYANA

Seema Rani 1 and Candy Tandon 2 . 1. Professor EECM,COHS,CCSHAU,Hisar Department of Extension Education and Communication Management. 2. Research Associate,EECM,COHS Department of Extension Education and Communication Management. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History


ISSN: 2320-5407
Int. J. Adv. Res. 4(12), 1563-1567 1564 programme in the state, the quality of the SHG has come under stress. Here an effort is made in this paper to assess the determinants of sustainability of self help groups in Haryana.

Materials and Methods:-
The study was carried out in four districts of Haryana viz; Kaithal,Panipat,Rewari and Mahendergarh. Twelve blocks were selected from all the selected districts which had the maximum number of self help groups formed. The total of 240 SHGs constituted the sample of the present study representing 65 villages from 12 blocks of 4 districts of Haryana. An interview schedule was prepared for the collection of data and the data were analysed by using frequency and percentages.    Table 3:-Distribution of groups according to the gap in formation and registration of SHG

Results and Discussion:-
The intervening time period between the formation and registration of SHG's was studied in terms of months taken to understand the process of group formation. The data in table-3 shows that majority of the groups (92.50 %) were registered with the bank between 1-3 months. Nearly five percent groups (4.58%) took less than one month and only 1.66 percent groups took 3-6 months time to get registered. This shows that the basic principles of formation of SHG's had not been followed in majority of the cases. As per rule, it is recommended that there should be a gap of minimum six months between formation and registration of the groups. The money collection status of groups at different stages of group sustainability shows that average collection by most of groups was Rs. 942.91 monthly at formation stage. The collection was slightly increased at registration stage. While at present the monthly collection in most of SHG's was raised up to Rs. 1419.70/per group.   The sustainability of groups has been shown in Table-6. The data shows that a total of 43.33 percent groups sustained for more than 5 years and the groups which still sustaining after five years. Nearly 1/3 rd groups (31.25%) sustained for 3-5 years followed by those (20.41%) who sustained for 1-3 years. Only 5.00 percent groups sustained for less than one year. Bhatt and Rajdev (2012) in their study "An Analysis of Factors Empowering Women Through Microfinance" stated that the research study aimed at checking the impact of microfinance on women empowerment. From the study it can be concluded that microfinance institution helps in poverty alleviation and through that standard of living of women also improves. The SHG's have provided social opportunities to make them aware about these rights, entitlements and development programmes as well as starting income generation activities for substantial earnings and self-employment. D The data regarding reasons for sustainability in Table-7 revealed that the main reason for sustainability of SHGs was cooperation among the members (85.57%) followed by trust among the members (78.84%) and education of office bearers (60.57%). Other reasons in order of importance were no problem in taking loan (57.69%), monitoring by the authorities (52.88%) and having knowledge about the SHGs (46.15%). The findings were supported by Das(2015).According to him, majority of respondents are motivated by the PACS. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies are playing a very significant role in organizing SHGs and motivating them to take up farming and nonfarming income generating activities. Majority of the respondents are motivated by the PACS to join the SHGs. Almost all respondents revealed that their participation in the SHG has facilitated to take part in farming and nonfarming income generating activities.

Distribution of groups according to reasons for discontinuation and dormancy:-
Out of the total groups surveyed, only 8.75 percent groups were active and rest 91.25 percent were either dormant or discontinued. Efforts were made to study the reasons for discontinuation and dormancy of the groups. The distribution of groups according to reasons for discontinuation and dormancy points to the fact that more number of respondents (35.40%) reported poor monitoring by authorities followed by non-cooperation of members (32.90%), conflict among members (32.50%) and problems in taking loan (30.40%) as the main cause for discontinuation and dormancy of SHGs. Nearly 25.00 percent of the respondents reported lack of trainings and lack of time as the main reason for the discontinuation and dormancy of their SHG's. The other reason could be the lack of trust and lack of contact with members of the groups.

Conclusions:-
Out of 240 SHGs surveyed in Haryana, more than fifty percent groups were discontinued (56.66%) followed by 34.58 percent groups in dormant category and only 8.75 percent were active groups.The sustainability of 43.33 percent SHGs was for five years and more. Out of total 240 groups only 8.75 percent groups were involved in income generating activities. Group survival was based upon the efforts of one or two members who were engaged in some income generating activities before the group formation and had been using the Self Help Group platform for seeking loans and to scale up the marketing of their produce. The main reason for sustainability of SHGs was cooperation among the members (85.57%) followed by trust among the members (78.84%) and education of office bearers (60.57%). Other reasons in order of importance were no problem in taking loan (57.69%), monitoring by the authorities (52.88%) and having knowledge about the SHGs (46.15%).Poor monitoring, non-cooperation and conflict among the members were the major issues among members leading to dormancy or discontinuation beside problem in taking loan, lack of training and knowledge.