Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 27: As a part of NABARD’s regular interventions in the field of micro finance, DDM, NABARD, organized a bankers’ exposure visit to Self Help Groups (SHGs) at village Kawa.
At the very outset of the programme, DDM, NABARD, Manohar Lal gave the background of SHG movement in India. He informed that as on March 31, 2013, more than 80 lakh SHGs are Saving linked with the banks in the country out of which about 48.51 lakh are Credit Linked. He said that this is the largest micro finance movement in the world which has covered about 10 crore households in India.
Adddressing the gathering, DDM informed that NABARD has taken initiatives in Udhampur district and promoted SHGs in the rural areas. The recovery of loans is almost 100% in the case of SHGs promoted by NABARD in the district and it establishes the confidence of the banks in SHGs, he added.
The members, during the course of interaction with bankers informed that they have been benefitted from SHGs in many ways such as easy and timely availability of credit without actually visiting the bank, less paper work involved in availing credit, mutually agreed repayment system, etc.
The members also informed that the income level of their households has increased on account of income generating activities undertaken by them with the help of bank loans through SHGs, which has resulted in better living conditions.
The SHGs also showed their books of accounts to the bankers, which the latter examined thoroughly.