Question : SELF HELP GROUPS IN MAHARASHTRA

(a) the details of Central allocation, Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed and total No. of Swarozgaris assisted and the achievements made in the country especially in Maharashtra during the last three years and the current year, year-wise, State-wise;

(b) the number of SHGs that have become self-dependent to cater to the needs of the families connected with them, State-wise including Maharashtra;

(c) whether the Government is aware that assistance from Nationalized Banks is not available to them in some cases; and

(d) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to help the SHGs in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)

(a) The details of Central allocation, Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed and total No. of Swarozgaris assisted during the last three years and the current year, year-wise, State-wise including Maharashtra, under Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) / National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is at Annexure-I.

(b) The central Ministry does not maintain data relating to the number of SHGs that have become self - dependent. The number of SHGs who have taken up economic activities under SGSY/NRLM is at Annexure-II.

(c) & (d): The Government is seized of the problem of weak linkages of SHGs with banks leading to low credit mobilization and repeat financing. In order to address this problem the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) will work towards achieving universal financial inclusion, beyond basic banking services to all the poor households, SHGs and their federations. NRLM will address both the demand and supply sides of Financial Inclusion. On the demand side, it will promote financial literacy among the poor and provides catalytic capital to the SHGs and their federations. On the supply side, it will coordinate with the financial sector and encourage use of Information, Communication & Technology (ICT) based financial technologies, business correspondents and community facilitators like `Bank Mitras`.