A Study of Lending Pattern among SHGs in Tejaswini Programme

The Tejaswini Rural Women’s Empowerment Programme, supported by IFAD was launched by Madhya Pradesh Vitta Vikas Nigam (MPVVN) in six district viz, Mandla, Balaghat, Dindori, Panna, Tikamgarh and Chhatarpur in the year 2007. The programme envisages to reach out to 18000 poor rural women through 12000 SHGs in six programme districts. The programme is working in partnership with 24 facilitating NGOs and two resource NGOs. The key aspect of the programme being development of strong and sustainable SHGs and their apex institutions, to improve their quality of life with access to microfinance services, livelihood opportunities and enterprise development, women’s empowerment and social equity.

The MPVVN entrusted a “study of the Lending Pattern in SHGs promoted under Tejaswini” in three districts viz, Chhatarpur, Panna and Tikamgarh to Mahila Chetna Manch in July 2011. The study aimed to look at the Lending Pattern to support the livelihood component and strengthen financial management within SHGs. The idea behind the study was to understand the quantum of fund required as loan, number of women members of SHGs accessing loan – number of times and purpose of loan to identify investment sector i.e. income generation activities, non-productive purpose. Also to ascertain the source of fund i.e SHG’s savings or from money lenders/others. Quantum of ban accessed by each member before joining the SHG and after becoming members of SHG and repayment status of loan etc.

The study was carried out in five location centres in each district selected at random and 5 percent of the total SHGs formed under the programme selected randomly. Out of 3018 SHGs formed in the three districts taken up for study 150 SHGs have been studied to find out the outcome. After compilation and consolidation of data tables have been generated and part of the analysis and report writing has been completed by the close of the year under report. The outcome of the study will be known after the report is completed.