Field Visit Report

of 3 days field visit to Block Bhoranj , District Hamirpur

 Objective

 To study the basic model structure and sustainability of SHGs formed and
revived under NRLM.
 To study the changes in the socio economic status of the women members of the
SHGs.

Field visit is the part of our training programme of NRLM, which provides the insights
on implementation of various components of NRLM.
In the study main focus area was on model structure, sustainability measures along
with socio-economic impact of NRLM.

sustainable SHG is said to be achieved only if the women entrepreneurs are

economically empowered. In this finding sustainability of SHG and socio-economic
impact of SHG on its members is analysed. The sustainability of a SHG depends upon
the Panchsutras or 5 cordial principles of a SHG (Regular Meeting, Regular Saving,
Regular Inter lending, regular repayment and Regular book keeping). In this
observation study main focus was on the model structure followed by the SHGs and
what types of interventions are needed to improve.
The data for the study is collected through focus group discussions and interviewing
the various members of SHGs and VOs in Block-Bhoranj, District: Hamirpur of
Himachal Pradesh.
In order to get a better understanding about concept of socio–economic condition of the
SHGs and its members the secondary data is collected from the Block Officials and from
NRLM-MIS online portal.

Schedule of the Visit:

Date Place
Village-Jadoh, Block-Bhoranj of District: Hamirpur and met the
members of 8 different SHGs formed under NRLM.
25.04.2019
Gram Panchyat-Paplah, Village-Paplah of block Bhoranj and met
the members of 9 self help groups formed under NRLM.
Gram Panchayat, Jahoo and attended the meeting of Village
Organization-Ekta. VO consisted of 8 shgs formed under NRLM.
All the 18 members of the VO were present in the meeting.
GP-Badehar, of development block Bhoranj attended Satya
26.04.2019
Narayan Village Organization meeting in the Panchayat Ghar-
Badehar and interact with the members of the 9 different SHGs.
GP-Luddhar Mahadev, Block Bhoranj interact with the members of
Jagreti village organization. 20 SHGs formed in the different wards
 has the membership in the VO.
GP-Gagal, New Aajeevika SHG which produce Papaya and Ambla
27.04.2019 sweets. Met 40 members of different groups which produce
different items.

General Profiling of SHGs

 It has been founded that majority of women in the SHGs are from the age group
of (35-45) which is 85%. It has been also founded that some of SHG members in
village Jadoh, belongs to age group (50-60) and above.
 It has been founded that majority of SHG members are married which is 95% and
5% women respondent are separated or widows, unmarried single women are
not interested in the formation SHGs.
 It came to notice that the members associated in some SHGs are from different
social and financial background.
 It has been founded that the education level of the members does not play a
major role in starting up an income generation activities. For example in village
Jadoh, Maha Lakshmi SHG member Usha Rani and in Nadaun Block, New
Aajeevika SHG shows good entrepreneur skills even though they don’t have
higher education.
 SHG members are from the family whose annual income is less than Rs. 60,000
only. Whereas, women from family’s having high annual income are not
interested in joining Self Help Groups. As per analysis poor family members are
always willing to join SHG’s.
SHG Meeting
SHG members become closer, if they meet regularly. This helps them to understand
each other’s difficulties better and full attendance in all the group meetings will
make it easy for the SHG to stabilize and start working to the satisfaction of all.
 During the interaction with members of SHGs, it has been come to our notice
that in the GP- Badehar and Luddhar Mahadev SHGs are holding only one
meeting in the month and only 70% members are participating in the SHG
 meeting. While in the GPs-Jahoo, Jadoh and Paplah SHGs are holding two
meetings in a month and 80% members are taking part in the meetings.
 It has been come to notice that most of the SHGs are holding their meetings
without specific agenda. They were just holding meeting to collect savings and
inter lending.
 Only 25% of SHGs were discussing about social and local issues during the SHG
meet and only 15% were taking part in the social activities.
 85% of SHG’s members were aware about the objective of NRLM.
 Very low only 5% drop out has been founded in the SHGs formed in the
different village. It has also been founded that women has strong desired to do
something for their livelihoods.
 95% of SHGs are not changing/rotating leadership among SHG members. Most
of the SHG members were not interested in taking responsibility. Due to non
rotation of leadership only 1-2 members of a SHG is more empowered and vocal
due to which other members do not feel belongingness to SHG.
Savings

 Different saving patterns have been identified among SHGs of Block Bhorang it
varies from ₹ 20 to ₹ 200 per month.
 The concept of regular saving is very much clear to SHG members as a result
SHG members are regularly collect saving and use it for inter lending.
Inter loaning

 Most of the SHGs are doing inter loaning and repayment during the SHG
meeting.
 The rate of interest and loaning conditions are decided by the SHG members.

Repayment of loan

 They have also informed us that if somebody refuses to repay loan on time, All
SHG members decide the fine or punishment for every missed payment.
Bookkeeping

 All the SHGs are maintaining books of records but most of them are using single
simple register to maintain all kinds of records. There should be different
registers for Minutes book, Cash Book, Attendance & Savings Register, Loan
Ledger, General Ledger and Individual Pass Book.
 It has also been founded that there is a need for bookkeeping training to the
SHG’s bookkeepers because most of the SHGs are not maintaining books in a
slandered way.
 Wrong booking practice has been adopted by some SHGs due to lack of
bookkeeping knowledge among CRPs.
 Bookkeepers have not been identified secretary was taking care of bookkeeping
practice.
 Internal audit practice was missing in all the SHGs.

Social Impact

 It has been founded that most of the SHGs member were taking part in the
GRAM SABHA and raised their demand.
 SHG’s members has also told that SHG moment change their thoughts about
participation in the community activities. Now they are actively participating in
all community activities and put their thoughts. This also empowered them to
take benefits from other Govt./Dept. schemes like PMAY G, SBM, Sericulture,
Horticulture etc.
 In the answer of the question” How much change has occurred in you regarding
to you in availability of skill?” it came to notice that:
o 90 % of women are now freely and frankly speaking in SHG meeting
o 95% of women are participation in public meeting
o 10% of women are taking up leadership position in SHG
o 60% of women are now performing bank transaction
o 60% of women have knowledge about Govt. schemes.
o 45% of women are going to Govt. office or police station for their rights.
Possible Suggestions

 The group should meet regularly. Ideally, the meetings should be weekly or at
least monthly. (Advantage: They become closer, if they meet regularly. This
helps them to understand each other’s difficulties better.)
 Members should have the same social and financial background. (Advantage:
This makes it easier for the members to interact freely with each other. If
members are both from rich as well as poor class, the poor may hardly get an
opportunity to express themselves.)
 The SHG should be encouraged to discuss and try to find solutions to the
problems faced by the members of the group. Individually, the poor people are
weak and lack resources to solve their problems. When the group tries to help its
members, it becomes easier for them to face the difficulties and come up with
solutions.
 Unemployed and educated women should also participate in such programmes.
 Senior women should be motivated to participate in these programmes as they
have good experience of life which is beneficial for the groups.
 The group members should consider SHGs as an opportunity to improve their
socioeconomic conditions, but not only the means of taking easy loan or credit.
 For the success of SHGs-Bank Linkage programme, the government have to
provide proper initiatives in rural as well as backward areas.

Utility of the Study:

 The study attempts to provide information regarding functioning of SHGs and

the profile of SHG members.
 Findings of the study will help in gaining information related to the livelihood of
SHG members and effect of SHG movement on empowering the rural people in
Hamirpur District.
 The study shall help to identify the reasons for the success or failure of the SHGs.
 The study would bring into focus on the various problems faced by rural poor
including the women SHG members in carrying out various income generating
activities within the group.