CONTENTS Preface v Acknowledgements . vii 1. Microfinance-Concepts, Spread of the Movement and Prelude to the Study 1 The Background: Poverty and Need for Self-employment- Microfinance: A Novel Concept in Providing Financial Services to the Poor-The Positive Effects of Microfinance-The Global Microfinance Movement-Microfinance Models in Use- Microfinance Movement in India-Research on Microfinance: A Review-Prelude to a Study on Microfinance in North Bengal 2. Microfinance Delivery through the SGSY 46 Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): Genesis and Aims-Operational Characteristics of the Scheme-Monitoring and Performance Evaluation: Role of Agencies-Fund Management- Clusters and Federations: Integrating SHGs under SGSY 3. SGSY in Jalpaiguri District: A Review of Spread of SHGs, Funding Pattern and Cluster Development 64 Spread of SHGs under SGSY in Jalpaiguri-Clusters and Federations of SHGs in Jalpaiguri District- Funding Pattern and Financial Procedure-Conclusion 4. Financial Facets, Economic Activities and Governance of SHGs 112 General and Demographic Characteristics of SHGs-Financial Characteristics of SHG-Self-governance of SHGs-Economic and Social Activities-Marketing SHG Products Generated through Economic Activities-Conclusion 5. Bank Linkage Systems with Self Help Groups155 SHG Bank Linkage Need and Objective-How SHG Banking Differs from Traditional Banking-Banking Outreach-What Makes Bank Linkage Programmes Effective?-The Fruits of SHG Banking: Some Evidences-A View of SHG Bank Linkage in Jalpaiguri District-Activities and Perceptions of Bankers Regarding Linkages under SGSY-Problems Associated with SHG Banking-Conclusion 6. Training and Capacity Building of Swarozgaris under SGS in Jalpaiguri District 190 Basic Orientation Programme-Skill Development Training (SKDT)-Status of Training of SHG Members in Jalpaiguri District-Conclusion 7. Role of NGOs as Facilitators in SGSY 220 Role of NGOs in Microfinance-Evidences of NGO Intermediation in India's Microfinance Programme- Role and Performance of NGOs in Microfinance in Jalpaiguri District-Perceptions of NGOs towards the SGSY- Issues in Cooperation of Stakeholders of SGSY with NGOs-Conclusion 8. Impact of Microfinance: An Assessment in the Context of Jalpaiguri District 244 Impact Assessment of MF Programmes: Opinions and Controversies-Impact Measurement Methodologies: A Review- Impact Measurement Methodology Used for the Study-Impact of SGSY in Jalpaiguri District-Conclusion 9. Making SGSY More Effective: Some Policy Recommendations 304 The Findings of the Study at a Glance-Policy Prescriptions- Epilogue Appendices 329 Case Vignettes-Schedule of first Grading Exercise of SHGs under SGSY-Schedule for Second Grading of SHJGs Bibliography 348 Index 361