Contents Foreword by Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Smgh v Preface vii Acknowledgements ix List of Tables xiii Introduction xix Chapter One: Approach and Coverage 1 A. Methodology 1 B. A Brief Profile of Muzaffarpur District in Bihar 6 Chapter Two: Marginalised Communities: Concept and Status 10 Concept of Marginalisation 10 A. Socio-Economic Status of Muslims 12 B. Socio-Economic Status of Scheduled Caste (SC) 21 C. Socio-Economic Status of Scheduled Tribes (ST) 25 D. Socio-Economic Status of Other Backward Classes (OBC) 26 E. Socio-Economic Status of Women in India 27 Chapter Three: Self-Help Croup and MIC refinance: Concept and Status 31 Chapter Four: Government and Non-Government Initiatives 58 A. Government Initiatives 58 B. Non-Government Initiatives 82 Status of Mahila Samakhya: An Overview 87 Status of Mahila Samakhya; An Overview 88 Chapter Five: Social Impact of SHCs on Marginalised Communities 102 Case of Anita Devi 142 Chapter Six: Economic Impact on Marginalized Communities 146 A. Economic Profile of the Respondents 146 B. Economic Activity of SHGs 158 Case of Phoolan Devi 177 Case Study of Surraiyya Parween 179 Chapter Seven: Conclusion 182 Appendix Economic Activities of Groups 197 Bibliography 201 Index 211