Comparative Analysis of the Progress of Self Help Groups: A Case Study Dr. Banerjee Dibyendu*, Bisai Santanu** *Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Serampore College, Hooghly, India **Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Syamaprasad College, Kolkata, India Online published on 2 May, 2015. Abstract The participation of women in Self Help Groups (SHGs) made a significant impact on their empowerment both in social and economical aspects. The present study, based both on secondary data sources, seeks to examine some of the issues related to the progress of SHGs formed particularly by the poor women in the drought-prone areas (DPAs) of rural Bengal. Two sample draught prone districts of west Bengal, viz., Paschim Medinipur and Bankura have been chosen for this study. The study finds that one-fourth of the total SHGs are defunct in Paschim Medinipur district though the intensity is much less in Bankura. Maoist aggression and Maroamaji movement are two important reasons for this worse outcome. Government of West Bengal has put forward different assistance programme as well as employment generating programme to boost the growth rate of SHG formation. Organizations like NGO, MFIs and formal sector banks should also come forward to cater the needs of the target groups and work together to make a significant contribution to pro-poor development. Top Keywords Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Drought Prone Areas (DPAs), Progress, Maoist Movement, West Bengal. Top |