The document provides information about a project report submitted for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. It examines microfinance programs and women's empowerment through self-help groups (SHGs) linked to the Tripura Grameen Bank in rural Churaibari, North Tripura district, Tripura, India. The objectives are to assess the role of microfinance in empowering women SHG members through capacity building and to analyze socio-economic impacts between pre-SHG and post-SHG situations. 126 women from 10 randomly selected SHGs will be surveyed using questionnaires from August to October 2013. The data will be analyzed to test hypotheses about impacts on decision making, socioeconomic indicators, and women's

1. Microfinance
Programmes
and
Women
Empowerment through Capacity Building
A Grass Root Level Study through SHG (Self Help Group) – Tripura Grameen
Bank Linkage in the Rural Areas of Churaibari, Dharmanagar of North Tripura
District, Tripura.
A project report submitted to WBUT in partial fulfillment of
requirement for the award of Master of Business Administration
(MBA).
Submitted by:
Name:- SUBIR NATH
Regd. No:Roll No:-
Supervisors:Mr. Swarnabha Das
Faculty Members in MBA Department
SVIMCS
MBA (3RD SEMESTER)
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMPUTER SCIENCE

2. DECLARATION
I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the project report entitled
Sales Promotion Submitted by me to the University of WBUT, in
partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of degree of
Master of Business Administration under the guidance of Prof
Amitava Gupta, is my original work and the conclusions drawn
therein are based on the material collected by myself.
The Report submitted is my own work and has not been
duplicated from any other source. I shall be responsible for any
unpleasure moment/situation.
Place:
Date:
Name:
Student

3. Acknowledgement
I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Mrs.Kakoli Gupta, HOD of
SVIMCS for her continuous inspiration.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my deep sense of gratitude to my
joint supervisors Mr. Swarnabha Das, faculty members in MBA Department
of SVIMCS for their precious guidance and help to complete my project
report successfully.
I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Mr.Dipak Saha, Branch
Manager, Churaibari Branch, Tipura Grameen Bank for his valuable
guidance and suggestion.
Last but not least it is my foremost duty to thank all my respondents, who
help me to collect necessary information during the field survey.
REGISTRATION NO: ROLL NO.:-
Date:
Place:
-
-------------------------Subir Nath

4. Table of Contents
Page No.
Executive Summary
Chapter- I: Introduction
Chapter-2: Bank Profile
Chapter-3: Objectives and Hypothesis
3.1 Primary Objective
3.2 Specific Objectives
3.3 Hypotheses
Chapter-4: Survey of Literature
Chapter- 5: Data Collection and Methodology
Chapter- 6: Analysis and Findings
6.1General Profile of the SHG Members as well as their families
6.2 Poverty Level of the families of the SHG Members
6.3 Microfinance and Self Worthiness of the SHG Members
6.4 Socio – economic aspects of the SHG members as well as
their families:
Chapter-7: Conclusion
Annexure-I: Bibliography
Annexure-II: Sample Questionnaire

5. Executive Summary
The Primary objective of the study is to assess the role of microfinance
programmes to empower women SHG members through capacity building
in the rural areas of Churaibari of North Tripura District, Tripura.
For this purpose a local bank, namely Churaibari Branch of Tripura
Grameen Bank has been selected in this study.
Specific Objectives:
1. To find out whether any role of microfinance programmes in the Self
worthiness of the SHG members in the Post-SHG situation;
2. To find out whether any role of microfinance programmes in the
decision making process of the family of SHG (with reference to
children education and marriage) members in Post-SHG situations;
3.
To find out whether any role of microfinance programmes towards
the socio – economic empowerment of the SHG members as well as
their families between Pre and Post-SHG situations;
Hypotheses:
1. H01:
There is same attitudes of the SHG members in the decision
making process of the family between Pre and Post-SHG situations;

6. 2. H02:
There is no difference in the variation of
socio-economic
indicators between Pre and Post – SHG situations;
This study is based on both primary and secondary data. The primary
data has been collected from the field survey in the different rural areas
of Churaibari of North Tripura District, Tripura. For this purpose both
open-ended and close-ended questionnaires have been prepared to
collect necessary information to justify whether any role of
microfinance programmes to empower women through capacity
building. The survey has been conducted from the month of August to
October, 2013.
On the other hand, secondary data relating to general information about
the selected SHGs Leaders has been collected from the internal records
of the Churaibari Branch of Tripura Grameen Bank. Beside these few
information has also been collected from the internet, journals,
magazines, news papers and books etc to gather knowledge about
microfinance programmes in India through SHG-Bank Linkage and
Women Empowerment.
In this study Stratified Random sampling technique has been used for
the collection of primary data as well as for testing hypothesis between
Pre and Post SHG situations. The Churaibari Branch of Tripura
Grameen Bank, North Tripura. District has been able to form 50 SHGs

7. in the year 2013-14 (up to the end of May). Out of these 50 SHGs, 25
SHGs comprise entirely women and of whom 10 SHGs have been
selected randomly in this study.
These 10 SHGs consist of 126
members. The collected data has been summarized in a ‘Master Sheet’
in such a systematic manner that can fulfill the objectives of the study.
However the summarized data has been analyzed with the help of
Mathematical and statistical tools like Percentage, Mean, Standard
Deviation and paired two samples for T - test by using the software
(Minitab 15.0).
Major Findings
1. All the SHG Members reported that they had no involvement in the
decision making process of the family regarding children marriage and
education in the Pre-SHG.
2. Out of 126 SHG members, 100% improvement has been regarding
feelings of freeness to talk and their involvement in decision making
process of the family regarding children education and marriage in the
Post-SHG .
3. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Drinking
Water provision between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 9.58,
Mean difference = (-) 0.6508, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7623 with
0.05 significant level.

8. 4. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Sanitation
Facilities between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 11.08, Mean
difference = (-) 0.6984, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7073 with 0.05
significant level.
5. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Square
Milk per Day between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 5.07, Mean
difference = (-) 0.4127, Standard Deviation difference = 0.9145 with 0.05
significant level.
6. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of better Dress
Quality between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 8.11, Mean
difference = (-) 0.5873, Standard Deviation difference = 0.8126 with 0.05
significant level.
7. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Personal as
well as family Income Level of the between Pre and Post-SHG situations
since t = (-) 10.00, Mean difference = (-) 0.6667, Standard Deviation
difference = 0.7483 with 0.05 significant level.
8. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Household
Savings Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 10.91, Mean difference =
(-) 0.6984, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7187 with 0.05 significant
level.

9. 9. The better significant improvement has found in the variation Change in
assets ownership between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 9.58,
Mean difference = (-) 0.6508, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7623 with
0.05 significant level.
Chapter – 1
Introduction
The Microfinance Programmes through SHGs (Self Help Groups) – Bank
Linkage have
been launched by the Government of India as a strategy of poverty alleviation and rural
development. The pioneering efforts at this has been made by National Bank for Agriculture
and Rural Development (NABARD) and Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) which is vested with the task of framing appropriate policy for rural credit, provision
of technical assistance backed liquidity support to banks, supervision of rural credit
institutions and other development initiatives. The scenarios of supply of formal financial
access to financial services are services within India constraint for the poor not interest rates.
Microfinance refers to small scale financial services including both credits and deposits
provide to people who were engaged in farming or fishing or herd; operate small or
microenterprises where goods are produced, recycled, repaired or traded, provide services:
work for wages or commissions: gain income for renting out small amount of land, vehicles,
draft animal or machinery and tools in both rural and urban areas There is a basic difference
between Microcredit and Microfinance. The microcredit caters to commercial needs of poor
for enabling them to raise their income levels and to improve standard of living”. Thus in
microcredit more emphasis is on loans, while microfinance also includes support services
where people open up channels for thrift, market assistance, technical assistance, capacity

10. building, insurance, social and cultural programmes etc. So where microcredit is ‘only credit’
there microfinance is ‘credit plus. The main theme of Microfinance Programmes are that
where poor people do not have access to normal bank loans for income generating activities,
Microfinance extends small loans to very poor people for self employment purpose. It enables
the poorest of the poor, especially the women to generate income for them as well as for their
families.
The SHG is the basic constituent of microfinance programmes in India. SHG is a group
of 10 to 20 members usually poor and often women who voluntarily organize
themselves for the eradication of poverty. The SHG is generally formed by a name.
Member make small regular saving contributions over a few months until there is
enough capital in the group to being lending The members of the group agree to save
regularly a very nominal amount of money (say Re.1 per day per member) and pool
their savings into a fund known as ‘Corpus Fund’ from which they can borrow up to
4:1 ratio (i.e. maximum loan amount is a multiple of the total funds deposited in the
group account) as and when necessary for their income generating purpose. Such a
group is linked with a bank, where the group maintains a savings account. After 6
months of the group formation bank begins to lend money to the group as a unit
without collateral, relying on self-monitoring and peer-pressure within the group for
repayment of the loans. Sometimes the group can withdraw the deposited amount from
the savings account for their inter-loaning purpose. Every group is directed by group
leader and deputy leader who are elected by casting vote of the other group members.
Generally they maintain the meeting resolution, record books and register and act as
coordinators between the bank and
the group.

11. Chapter-2:-
Profile of Tripura gramin Bank
Tripura Gramin Bank was set up with four branches on 21st December,
1976under the Regional Rural Bank Act. 1976 in the state of Tripura. Since its
existence, the Tripura Gramin Bank is dedicated to the amelioration of the
socio-economic condition of the rural people of the state.
The state of Tripura is one of the North-Eastern States of India having an area
of 4051 sq. mile or 10491.69 sq. km. and a population of 36,71,032 with
18,71,867 males and 17,99,165 females as per 2011 census. Tripura is almost
surrounded by international borders having a road-link through Assam with the
rest of the country. Despite various constraints like geographical and
infrastructural impediments, Tripura Gramin Bank has been playing a pivotal
role for the welfare of the people of the State for last 35 years and has
established its firm position and has been enjoying the confidence of the
people.
Since the economy of the state is basically agrarian, the development what so
ever is based on agriculture apart from a segment of village and cottage
industries . Tripura Gramin Bank has now become an inseparable part of state
economy for its commitment and contribution to the process of economic upliftment of the poor and downtrodden people of the state. Beside normal
banking business, Tripura Gramin Bank is also extending diversified services
like payment of monthly salary to a larger section of the employees of the state
Govt., TTAADC and School Teachers. More than 125000 nos. of NREGA’s
and 50000 old age pension payment also made through the bank. Other services
including collection of Tripura Sales Tax and value of Food grains from F. P.

12. Shop dealers on behalf of the State Govt. is being done by the bank since long.
Tripura Gramin Bank has been seriously implementing the latest R. B. I.
guideline on financial inclusion where in extremely poor people are encouraged
for opening their SB A/C with ‘O’Balance . They are also provided O/D Loan
to meet their credit requirement in a hassle free manner . Bank has also taken
step for issuance of G. C. C. to deserving candidates up to Rs.25000/= without
insisting for collateral security.
Tripura Gramin Bank has been attaching topmost priority in implementation of
micro credit, particularly direct lending to SHG Groups form mostly by women
entrepreneurs.
BANK PERFORMANCE
TRIPURA
GRAMIN
BANK
Head Office: Abhoynagar
Date of Establishment: 21/12/1976
Performance of the Bank at a glance
( Amtt. In thousand of Rs. )
A.
Key Performance
Indicators
1No. of districts covered
2No. of Branches
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
4
4
4
111
113
123
a) Rural
82
84
91
b) Semi – Urban
20
20
22
9
9
10
651
669
680
267
292
299
20501938`
22543010
27747322
22.03%
9.96%
23.09%
755771
1052696
1446469
28.83%
39.29%
37.41%
7996476
9940126
11758236
20.67%
24.31%
18.29%
5768953
6550737
8291488
c) Urban
3Total Staff
Of which , Officers
4Deposit
Growth %
5Borrowing Outstanding
Growth %
6Gross Loans & Advance
Outstanding
Growth %
Of 6.above , loans to
Priority Sector

13. Of 6.above , loans to
Non-Target Group
2227523
3389389
3466748
Of 6.above , loans to
SC/ST
3010873
3971258
4965458
Of 6.above , loans to
SF/MF/AL
1284828
1928384
2209738
Of 6.above , loans to
Minorities
417684
563841
798153
39.00%
44.09%
42.38%
11294810
11201810
15548862
57.17%
-8.23%
38.80%
SLR Investment
Outstanding
3282090
3722943
3882350
Non-SLR Investment
Outstanding
8012720
7478867
11666512
7CD Ratio
8Investment Outstanding
Growth %
B.
12
2011-2012
17368098
20841751
25375974
57.48%
20.00%
21.76%
Average Borrowings
661955
926048
1249582
49.65%
39.90%
34.94%
Average Gross Loans &
Advance
7091818
8457239
9554965
Growth %
11
2010-2011
Growth %
10
2009-2010
Growth %
9
Averages
41.79%
19.25%
12.98%
Average Investments
4792769
7057500
9681932
Average Deposits
Growth %
3.61%
47.25%
37.19%
Average SLR Invt. As %
to Avg. Deposit
16.89%
17.38%
18.37%
Average Non-SLR Invt.
As % to Avg. Deposit
10.70%
16.48%
19.26%
21371262
25194580
29175612
2714160
3574022
5404483
9.37%
31.68%
51.22%
Of 14 above , loans to
Priority Sector
2010717
2629207
2362585
Of 14 above , loans to
Non-Priority Sector
703443
944815
1741898
Of 14 above , loans to
SC/ST
1245708
1935159
1767098
13
Average Working Funds
C.
LOANS ISSUED DURING THE YEAR
14
Loans Issued during the
year
Growth %

14. Of 14 above , loans to
SF/MF/AL
670301
1029209
1127246
Of 14 above , loans to
Minorities
51282
114913
276931
28498376
32483136
39510802
256742
287461
321226
43776
48555
58104
As on
As on
As on
June,2009
June,2010
June,2011
Demand
2239332
2702000
6214058
Recovery
1621670
2155029
4719577
Overdue
617662
545303
1494481
Recovery %
72.42%
79.76%
75.95%
D.
PRODUCTIVITY
15
Total Business
Per Branch
Per Staff
E.
RECOVERY PERFORMANCE
16
Total

15. TRIPURA GRAMIN BANK SPECIAL PROGRAMMES:
i)
Agricultural credit:-
Consequent upon the pronouncement made by the Hon’ble Finance
Minister in Parliament during June, 2004 for doubling of Agriculture credit
in 3 years, the bank had drawn a perspective plan aiming at the very
objective. Accordingly, the target for the year in Agriculture Sector had
been recast and refixed. TGB only amongst all banks in Tripura
successfully achieved the target for the year in this sector.
The performance of the bank for last two years is depicted in a table
below.
Year
Target Achievement % of Achievement
2009-2010 636133 670301
105.38%
2010-2011 1083131 694608
64.13%
ii) Fresh Disbursement of loans and advances Annual
Credit Plan(ACP):The bank prepared its Annual Credit Plan for the year of report 2010-2011
considering the different important aspects like potentiality, viability,
marketability, availability of resources etc. Due to constant follow-up and
close monitoring, the bank could remarkably achieve the target of ACP for
the year 2010-2011 Against the target of R.2925709 thousand for fresh
lending under priority sector the bank extended credit to the tune of
R.2629207 thousand which constitutes 89.87% achievement of the ACP.
The sector wise target and achievement of ACP under priority sector for
2010-2011 are shown in the following table.
Sector
Target
Achievement % of achievement

16. No. Amount No. Amount
Agri. & Allied Activities 15000 1083131 19608 694608 64.13%
Industry
2000 301799 1536 124538 41.27%
Service
20000 1540779 13382 1810061 117.48%
TOTAL37000 2925709 34526 2629207 89.87%
iii) OUR PRIORITY AREAS:
Tripura Garmin Bank has been seriously implementing the latest R. B. I.
guideline on financial inclusion where in extremely poor people are encouraged
for opening their SB A/C with ‘O’ Balance. They are also provided O/D Loan
to meet their credit requirement in a hassle free manner. Bank has also taken
step for issuance of G. C. C. to deserving candidates up to Rs.25000/= without
insisting for collateral security.
To make rural farmers eligible for fresh credit R. B. I. formulated scheme on
O.T.S. is being implemented in large scale.
Due to customer friendly service rendered by the staff members , TGB has been
able to earn the confidence of all sections of people of the state.
TGB also provides the following services.
Issuance of KCC.
Issuance of GCC.
Issuance of SCC.
Swabalamban (Self Employment Scheme formulated by the State
Government).
KVIC Margin Money Scheme.
SGSY Scheme.
Nabard Scheme on Venture Capital, Dairy, Poultry etc.
Rain Water Harvesting.
Farm Mechanization.

17. Various Agri& Allied activities.
iv) Kisan Credit Card (KCC):
The bank has been giving top priority on implementation of KCC scheme
through all of its branches to bring maximum number of farmers within the
ambit of this programme for ensuring timely and hassle free credit dispensation.
During the year 2010-2011 , the bank issued 18167 no’s of KCC while 12362
Nos. were issued in last year. The total number of KCC issued by the bank since
inceptions is 70871 Nos. with over all credit limit of Rs.1227841 thousand.
v) Financial Conclusion:The essence of financial inclusion is in trying to ensure that a range of
appropriate financial service is made available to every individual and enabling
them to understand and access those services. National Rural Financial Inclusion
Plan (NRFIP) envisages a target to provide access to comprehensive financial
services to at least 50% of rural cultivators and non-cultivator households across
different stages by 2012 in which RRBs have immense responsibility to
shoulder. Under the plan a minimum target of covering 250 new cultivators and
non cultivators per annum per branch has been envisaged.
The bank pledges its commitment to carry out its responsibility, in keeping with
the policy of the Government, of including marginal farmers, landless labourers,
oral lessees, self employed and unorganized sector enterprises, ethnic minorities
and socially excluded groups, senior citizen and women into the fold of various
financial services offered by it. As a mark of commitment at all the branches of
the bank during the reporting period, a number of initiatives have been taken.
The performance of the bank under various financial services offered by it, are
given hereunder:
No-frill A/C opened during the (2010- A/C opened in “0” Balance since
2011)
inception
28684
298699
Small Overdraft loan issued against No-frill account holders:

18. O/D sanctioned during the year
Cumulative O/D
(2010-2011)
sanctioned
A/C
Amount
A/C
Amount
4123
5860
16811
8775
General Credit Card / Swarojgar Credit Card:
No. of Card issued
No. of Card issued
Particulars during the year (2010- Amount
(Cumulative Position)
2011)
GCC
1410
27884 12756
157655
SCC
54
3421
459
45843
Loan to indebted Farmer (Including Debt Swap Scheme)
No. of Villages adopted
117
Loans O/s. Loans Issued
A/C Amount A/C Amount
289 5421
289 5197
VI) SELF-HELPS GROUPS (SHG):The Bank has given special thrust on organization of Self Help Groups with a
view to developing awareness among the rural masses especially the women
folk about fulfillment of their urgent credit needs in a better way. The bank has
been trying to involve all the branches in SHG credit linkage programme with
the very purpose of extending effective credit flow to that section of people who
are still outside the ambit of institutional finance. The performance of TGB in
regard to deposit linkage and credit linkage of SHGs is so far remarkable as
compared to other banks in Tripura.
During the reporting year 397 Nos. of Self Help Groups were formed and the
total cumulative no. of SHG stood at 16229 Nos. at the end of the year. All
groups are maintaining SB A/c with our bank branches and aggregate balance
reached to R.271943 thousand as on 31.03.2011. Out of 16229 Nos. of SHGs

19. 11209 Nos. are women groups. 9535 Nos. of SHGs have been credit linked by
the bank directly up to the end of the reporting year with total credit limit of
R.229224 thousand. Besides direct credit linkage, the bank has provided
Revolving Fund to 7463 Nos. SHGs with aggregate credit limit of R.154277
thousand up to the end of this year. The bank has also provided project finance
after 2nd Gradation to 5289 SHGs with credit limit amounting R.1468105
thousand under SGSY during the reporting year.
VII) INCOME RECOGNITION AND ASSET
CLASSIFICATION:The assets of the bank were classified properly following prudential norms of
accounting prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India .The standard assets
(performing loans and advances)of the bank increased to R.9731736 thousand at
the end of the year, 2010-2011 which constitutes 97.90% of gross loans and
advances showing a growth of 26.25% over previous year.
The bank provided requisite amount for provision as per category of assets in
compliance to provisioning norms of RBI.
The statutory Auditors being satisfied have also certified the classification of
assets, income recognition and provision made by the bank.

20. TRIPURA GRAMIN BANK's MAN POWER:
STAFF STRENGTH OF TRIPURA GRAMIN
BANK
Manpower in Regional Rural Bank has been re-categorized & renamed as per Govt. of India
norms.
CHAIRMAN
General Manager
Senior Manager
Head of Department (at HO)
Regional Manager
Senior Branch Manager
Senior Manager
Manager
Assistant Manager
Office Assistant
Office Attendant
Appointed from
Sponsor Bank
Presently Deputed from
1Sponsor Bank
25
6
3
11
(IT-1; INSP-1;DEV51;RSETI-1;C&R-1)
(Branch Manager &
Manager attached to
136various Deptt.)
(Branch Manager,
Deputy Manager &
341Attached Officer)
(Clerical Cadre, Cashier,
246Typist etc.)
(Messenger-cum-Peon,
70Driver etc.)

21. STAFF POSITION AS ON 28-08-2013
Category
Senior Manager/ Regional Manager/ Senior Branch Manager
Nos.
25
Manager
136
Assistant Manager
341
Office Assistant
246
Office Attendant
70
Total
818
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SRI. UPENDRA SABAR,
CHAIRMAN, TGB
SRI.SANJAY RANJAN DAS,
CHIEF MANAGER,
UBI HO, KOLKATA
SRI. PRAKSHIT SUBUDDHI
SRI. L.N.ROKHUM (IAS),
DGM & CRM
UNITED BANK OF INDIA
TRIPURA REGIONAL OFFICE
DIRECTOR,
INSTITUTIONAL FINANCE,
GOVT. OF TRIPURA,
AGARTALA

22. SRI. S.R.DAS,
NOMINEE DIRECTOR,
SRI. KIRAN GITTE,
DISTRICT MAGISTRATE
(WEST TRIPURA)
SRI. KAJAL DAS,
NOMINEE DIRECTOR,
GOVT. OF INDIA
GOVT. OF INDIA
SRI.K. CHAKRABORTY,
DGM,RBI,
AGARTALA OFFICE
SRI.ASHOK MISRA
DGM, NABARD
TRIPURA REGIONAL OFFICE
Chapter – 3
Objectives and Hypothesis
(3.1) Primary Objective:
The Primary objective of the study is to assess the role of microfinance
programmes to empower women SHG members through capacity building in the
rural areas of Churaibari, Dharmanagar of North Tripura District, and Tripura.

23. For this purpose a local bank, namely Churaibari Branch of Tripura Garmin
Bank has been selected in this study.
(3.2) Specific Objectives:
4. To find out whether any role of microfinance programmes in the Self
worthiness of the SHG members in the Post-SHG situation;
5. To find out whether any role of microfinance programmes in the
decision making process of the family of SHG (with reference to
children education and marriage) members in Post-SHG situations;
6.
To find out whether any role of microfinance programmes towards
the socio – economic empowerment of the SHG members as well as
their families between Pre and Post-SHG situations;
(3.3) Hypotheses:
3. H01:
There is same attitudes of the SHG members in the decision
making process of the family between Pre and Post-SHG situations;
4. H02:
There is no difference in the variation of
indicators between Pre and Post – SHG situations;
socio-economic

24. Chapter-4:
Survey of Literature
The female borrowers in microfinance programmes are able to generate
employment at a rate equal to or greater than men, because employment stability
is greater in female-operated enterprises is also significant in poor countries in
which the loss of a job can have negative impact for family welfare (Wydick,

25. 2002). A positive impact on employment and household welfare is observed as
the target members are becoming financially dependent on microfinance
programme. The programme has greatly benefited women in the rural areas and
semi-urban areas, where specific targets have been set for their empowerment
(Makina and Malobola, 2004). The microfinance offers an important and
effective means to achieving change on a number of different fronts, economic,
social and perhaps also political. The success of microfinance organizations in
building up the organizational capacity of poor women provides the basis for
their social mobilization that many other development interventions have not
been able to achieve (Kabeer, 2005). The women’s participation in microcredit
programs helps to increase women’s empowerment. Credit programs lead to
women taking a greater role in household decision making, having greater access
to financial and economic resources, having greater social networks, having
greater bargaining power vis-a-vis their husbands, and having greater freedom of
mobility. The effects of male credit on women’s empowerment were generally
negative. The presence of male microcredit programs had a negative effect on an
overall measure of empowerment for eligible households and specifically on
women’s control of resources, finance, freedom of movement and development
of networks, and on fertility and parenting decisions (Pitt; Khandker and
Cartwright, 2006). The SHG-bank linkage programme in India has a greater
economic impact on households, with increases in income and decline in
vulnerability. There is significant impact on SHG households in terms of control,

26. management ability, self-confidence, change in behaviour and decision-making.
Apart from social empowerment, the SHG households also demonstrate greater
awareness and participation in local politics. However, the impact is not reflected
in certain key decisions, such as, no significant changes are observed in the
decision-making power of women in the field of adopting family planning
measures or buying and selling of land (Swain, 2006). There is a significant
increase in the women empowerment of the SHG members group. No such
significant change is observed however, for the members of the control group.
The SHG members are empowered by participating in the microfinance program
in the sense that they have a greater propensity to resist existing gender norms
and culture that restricts their ability to develop and make choices (Swain and
Wallentin, 2007). The case study reveals that the SC/STs have significantly
improved their ability to collectively bargain, to plan projects and to organize
group activities besides improving their social position within their own groups
and within the wider community. An unexpected finding is the poor economic
empowerment measured in terms of improvement in assets and income and
significantly positive results has been found. There is general improvement in
the borrowing capability for majority of the poor. Even so, reckoned in terms of
leadership empowerment increase in self confidence and general gender rights
awareness building have an impressive record especially among SC/ST groups.
The several successful cases have been shared with this study include those of a
young woman who lost her earning husband leaving the burden of educating and

27. marrying children on her, a woman whose husband is a drunkard and who also
lost the only male child and a woman who now lives a positive life having
escaped a suicide attempt. They are recorded here because, to show how Self –
help group based microfinance does supply significant bonding ‘social capital’
along with credit support (Oommen, 2008). The empirical study strongly support
the role of economic factors and financial confidence gained from participation in
the SHG program in empowering women. Management and behavioural changes
within the respondent and the household are other important factors leading to
empowerment of women. For the control group however, only managerial
decision-making and behaviour is significant factors (Swain and Wallentin,
2008). The empirical results show that rural women in the studied areas have well
been empowered through microfinance programme. The empowerment has been
measured on the basis of four criterions such as increment in income, upliftment
of standard of living, improvement in literacy level and ability to take major
economic decisions in the family. But SHG members have not been able to earn
income equally in the Post-SHG situation due to the lack of organized local
markets (Das; Mukherjee and Dutta, 2009). The empirical results also show that
women group members as well as their families have well been empowered
economically and socially through the microfinance programme (Das; Dey and
Dutta, 2009). The group based microfinance interventions has a positive impact
on the socio- economic development of poor villagers in Orissa. The empirical
results show that group based microfinance impacted the client household

28. positively in the increase of income, assets position, savings, and literacy and in
the reduction of migration. The expenditure pattern was altered for households
who participated in the group based microfinance intervention where more
impact was on the expenditure on productive assets and household consumables
followed by house construction and repair. The impact was the least but positive
in the case of the food expenditure (Panda, 2009). The empirical study reveals
that female SHGs performed better in terms of loan recovery than other types of
SHGs. The female SHGs also stood out as doing extremely well in financial
management practices such as maintaining book accounts and pass books and
updating them regularly. On the issue of sustainability of SHGs as explained by
long-term performance, the econometrics results reveal that only female SHGs
were sustainable. The all-female SHGs were sustainable because they were more
focused and united, adhere to basic objectives of groups, utilize borrowed funds
for different productive activities, and are highly concerned about the well-being
of their children and family members. Further, female SHG members took
membership in the group as a means to educate themselves and confront social,
political, and economic problems. On the other hand, members of all-male SHGs
have ego problems, work for their own interest, and do not follow the basic
objectives and goals of group formation. As a result, they are most irregular in
loan repayments and perform badly in economic and managerial activities (Parida
and Sinha, 2010). The empirical results show that microfinance brought
psychological and social empowerment than economic empowerment. The

29. respondents are well empowered than their counterparts. Age and education is
not having any influence on empowerment as well as on managerial skill
development among rural women. Impact of micro finance is appreciable in
bringing confidence, courage, skill development and empowerment but there is
no positive impact in sustainable rural development especially reduction of
poverty, creation of employment opportunities and creation of assets in rural
areas. There is appreciable development in planning, coordination, decision
making and financial skills among the leader respondents. But the effect of
microfinance on communication, organizing, competency and technical,
marketing skills and entrepreneurial skills is moderate only. There is a definite
improvement of managerial skills; psychological well being and social
empowerment among rural women as a result of participating in microfinance
through SHG programme (Rajendran and Raya, 2010).
However some of the researchers have concluded the positive impact of the
microfinance on the socio-economic empowerment of the poor people in India
and across the world. At the same time some other researchers found that the
microfinance interventions had little impact, where as other researchers found out
the negative impact of microfinance. So the positive impact of microfinance can
not be generalized and universally accepted. The most of the researchers had
conducted the impact assessment studies of microfinance through SHG – Bank

30. Linkage towards the empowerment of the poor people between Pre and PostSHG situations.
Chapter – 5
Data Collection and Methodology
This study is based on both primary and secondary data. The primary data
has been collected from the field survey in the different rural areas of
Churaibari of North Tripura District of Tripura. For this purpose both open-

31. ended and close-ended questionnaires have been prepared to collect
necessary information to justify whether any role of microfinance
programmes to empower women through capacity building. The survey has
been conducted from the month of June to August , 2013.
On the other hand, secondary data relating to general information about the
selected SHGs Leaders has been collected from the internal records of the
Churaibari Branch of Tripura Grameen Bank. Beside these few information
has also been collected from the internet, journals, magazines, news papers
and books etc to gather knowledge about microfinance programmes in India
through SHG-Bank Linkage and Women Empowerment.
In this study Stratified Random sampling technique has been used for the
collection of primary data as well as for testing hypothesis between Pre and
Post SHG situations. The Churaibari Branch of Tripura Grameen Bank.,
North Tripura District has been able to form 50 SHGs in the year 2011-12
(up to the end of July). Out of these 50 SHGs, 25 SHGs comprise entirely
women and of whom 10 SHGs have been selected randomly in this study.
These 10 SHGs consist of 126 members. The collected data has been
summarized in a ‘Master Sheet’ in such a systematic manner that can fulfill
the objectives of the study.
However the summarized data has been
analyzed with the help of Mathematical and statistical tools like Percentage,

32. Mean, Standard Deviation and paired two samples for T - test by using the
software (Minitab 15.0).
Chapter- 6
Analysis and Findings
6.1 General Profile of the SHG Members as well as their families
Sample Size: 126

33. 1.Literacy level(Pre -SHG)
Literate
Illiterate
Literacy level(Post- SHG)
Literate
Illiterate
2.Maritial Status
Married
Unmarried
3.Caste
Upper
Backward
4.Nature of the families
Single
Joint
5.Types of house
Concrete
Tiles
Sheet
26%
74%
80%
20%
98%
2%
38%
62%
98%
2%
3%
14%
83%
Analysis and finding;
1. According to the field survey in the territory of Churaibari Branch of Tripura
Grameen Bank., out of 126 SHG members literate is 26% and illiterate is 74% in
pre-SHG situation. Other side post-SHG situation, literate is 80% and illiterate is
20%. Out of 126 SHG members Upper cast is 38% and backward caste is 62%.
Out of 126 SHG members married is 98 %and unmarried is 2 %.Out of 126 SHG
members Nature of their families is single 98% and 2% is joint. Out of the 126
SHG members the types of house of the SHG members is 3% Concrete, 14% is
tiles and 83% is Sheet.

34. 6.2 Poverty Level of the families of the SHG Members
Sample Size: 126
Poverty level of
the family
Yes
No
Pre-SHG
Post-SHG
90%
10%
4%
96%
Analysis and finding;
1. Out of 126 SHG members the 90% families had poverty level and 10%
had no poverty Level in Pre-SHG Situation. On the other hand presently
4% families has poverty level and 96% has no poverty level in the post-SHG
situation.
6.3 Dimensions of Microfinance and Self Worthiness of the SHG Members
Yes
After joining the
No

35. SHG do you feel
free?
After joining the
SHG whether
your involvement
in the decision
making process
of your children
education,
marriage and
family affairs in
increased?
100%
0%
100%
0%
Analysis and finding:
1. All the SHG Members reported that they had no involvement in the
decision making process of the family regarding children marriage and
education in the Pre-SHG.
2. Out of 126 SHG members, 100% improvement has been regarding
feelings of freeness to talk and their involvement in decision making
process of the family regarding children education and marriage in the
Post-SHG .
6.4 Socio – economic aspects of the SHG members as well as their families:
Indicators
i) Drinking
Mean
difference
(-) 0.6508
S.D
deference
0.7623
T
value
(-)9.58
Signifiance
level
0.05

36. Water Provision
ii) Sanitation
facilities
iii) Square Meal
Per day
iv) Cloth (Dress
Quality)
v) Increase in
Personal as well
as Family
Income
vi) Increase in
Household
Savings
vii) Change in
Asset
Ownership
(-) 0.6984
0.7073
(-)11.08
0.05
(-) 0.4127
0.9145
(-)5.07
0.05
(-)0.5873
0.8126
(-)8.11
0.05
(-)0.6667
0.7483
(-)10
0.05
(-)0.6984
0.7187
(-)10.91
0.05
(-)0.6984
0.7187
(-)10.91
0.05
Analysis and finding:
1. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Drinking
Water provision between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 9.58,
Mean difference = (-) 0.6508, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7623 with
0.05 significant level.
2. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Sanitation
Facilities between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 11.08, Mean
difference = (-) 0.6984, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7073 with 0.05
significant level.
3. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Square
Milk Per Day between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 5.07, Mean

37. difference = (-) 0.4127, Standard Deviation difference = 0.9145 with 0.05
significant level.
4. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of better Dress
Quality between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 8.11, Mean
difference = (-) 0.5873, Standard Deviation difference = 0.8126 with 0.05
significant level.
5. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Personal as
well as family Income Level of the between Pre and Post-SHG situations
since t = (-) 10.00, Mean difference = (-) 0.6667, Standard Deviation
difference = 0.7483 with 0.05 significant level.
6. The better significant improvement has found in the variation of Household
Savings Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 10.91, Mean difference =
(-) 0.6984, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7187 with 0.05 significant
level.
7. The better significant improvement has found in the variation Change in
assets ownership between Pre and Post-SHG situations since t = (-) 9.58,
Mean difference = (-) 0.6508, Standard Deviation difference = 0.7623 with
0.05 significant level.
Chapter – 7

38. Conclusion
It has observed that along with economic empowerment, group members are well being
empowered socially in the Post-SHG, which ensures the optimum standard of living of
the group members. One of the important aspects of microfinance programme is to
establish rights, status and decision making ability of women in the family. No group
members had decision making ability in the family in the Pre-SHG. But microfinance
programme has changed the scenario and able to fulfill the objective of the programme.
Now all the group members are taking decisions relating to children education and
marriage. All the SHG members told that they had no feelings freely to talk in society,
but now they have achieved this feeling after joining the SHG. Another major aspect of
the microfinance programme is to develop the backward, oppressed, under privileged
and deprived classes in the society. The microfinance programme has also been able to
attain this objective in the study area since maximum number of group members belong
from the backward section of the society. During the field survey the group members
told that they were dependent on the informal money lenders in the Pre-SHG. Now they
are freed from the clutches of informal money lenders through microfinance
programme. However, rural women in the study area have well been empowered
economically and socially through the microfinance programme.

39. Annexure – I
Bibliography:
1.
Das, S; Dey, A and Dutta, S.K. (2009). Impact of Microfinance Programme
through SHG-Bank Linkage: An empirical study towards the socio-economic
empowerment of the rural people, especially women. The Annamalai Journal of
Management (Special Issue), 113-124.
2.
Das, S; Mukherjee, S and Dutta, S.K. (2009). Microfinance programme through
SHG-Bank Linkage and Rural Development: A micro-level comparitive study
towards the empowerment of poor people, especially women in the rural areas of
Burdwan and Birbhum Districts of West Bengal. 92nd Annual Conference
Volume; Structural Reforms and Agriculture. II, pp. 217-236. Bhubaneshwar:
Indian Economic Association.
3.
Kabeer, N. (2005, October). Is microfinance a 'Magic Bullet' for women's
empowerment?: Analysis of Findings from South Asia. Economic and Political
Weekly , 4709-4718.
4.
Makina, D and Malobola, M.L. (2004). Impact assessment of microfinance
programmes, including lessons from Khula Enterprise Finance. Development
Bank of South Africa , XXI (5), 799-814.

40. 5.
Oommen, M. (2008, April). Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation: The case of
Kerala's Kudumbashree. Working Paper2008:17;Centre for Socio-Economic and
Environmental Studies , 1-15.
6.
Panda, D. (2009). Participation in the group based Microfinance and its Impact
on Rural Households: A Quasi-experimental evidence from an Indian State.
Global Journal of Finance and Management , I (2), 171-183.
7.
Parida, P.C and Sinha, A. (2010). Performance and Sustainability of Self-Help
Grpoups in India: A Gender Perspective. Asian Development Review , XXVII (1),
80-103.
8.
Pitt, M.M ; Khandker, S.R and Cartwright, J. (2006). Empowering women with
Microfinance: Evidence from Bangladesh. Economic Development and Cultural
Change , 791-831.
9.
Rajendran, K and Raya, R.P. (2010). Impact of microfinance: An empirical study
on the attitude of SHG Leaders in Vellore District (Tamil Nadu, India). Global
Journal of Finance and Management , 59-68.
10. Sinha, F. (2005, April). Access, Use and Contribution of Microfinance in India:
Findings from a National Study. Economic and Political Weekly , 1714-1719.
11. Swain, R.B (2006, September). Microfinance and women's empowerment:
Evidence from Self help group bank linkage programme in India. Division for
market Development , 1-24.

41. 12. Swain, R.B and Wallentin, F.Y. (2007, August). Does Microfinance empower
women? : Evidence from Self Help Groups in India. Working Paper Series
2007:24 , 1-26.
13. Swain, R.B and Wallentin, F.Y. (2008, November). Economic or Non-economic
factors - what empowers women? (N. Gotifries, Ed.) Working Paper Series
2008:11 , 1-34.
14. Wydick, B. (2002). Microfinance among the Maya: Tracing the progress of
borrowers. Development and Change; Institute of Social Studies , XXXIII (3),
489-509.

42. Annexure – II
Sample Questionnaire
(The information collected from the respondent will strictly be used for
academic purpose only)
1) Name of the Group member:
2) Name of the group:
3) Education:
Pre-SHG: (a) Literate (Specify Level of Education:
) (b) Illiterate
Post-SHG: (a) Literate (Specify Level of Education:
) (b) Illiterate
4) Marital Status: (a) Married (b) Unmarried (c) Separated (d) Widow (e)
Separated
5) Caste: (a) Upper caste (b) Backward caste (Specify:
6) Nature of the Family:
7) Type of the House:
)
(a) Single (b) Joint
(a) Concrete
(b) Thatched (c) Tiles (d) Sheet
8) Poverty level of the respondent: Pre-SHG: Yes / No
Post-SHG: Yes / No
9. Microfinance and Self Worthiness of the SHG members:
i.
ii.
After joining the SHG do you feel free?
(a) Yes (b) No
After joining the SHG whether your involvement in the decision making
process of your children education, marriage and family affairs in
increased? (a) Yes (b) No

43. 10. Socio – economic aspects of the SHG members as well as their families:
Pre-SHG
Post-SHG
Drinking Water Provision
Yes
No
Yes
No
Sanitation facilities
Yes
No
Yes
No
Square Meal Per day
Yes
No
Yes
No
Asset Ownership Change
Yes
No
Yes
No
Increase in Income
Yes
No
Yes
No
Increase in Savings
Yes
No
Yes
No
Change in Dress Quality
Yes
No
Yes
No
11. Whether are you facing any problem after joining Microfinance
Programme? Yes / No
a) Please mention the different types of problems:
i)
ii)
b) Do you have any suggestion towards the Bank to promote Microfinance
programme in better way? Please mention
i)
ii)