Possibilities for smooth functioning women self help groups: A constraint analysis

There is absolute no doubt on the holistic development of rural women through the intervention of women self-help groups (WSHGs) by engaging in entrepreneurial activities. Swarna Jayanti Gramme Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) become a strongest tool for economic and social empowerment of women. But still there are some evidences of WSHG face some sort of barrier in group management aspect from various fronts. The study is focused on assessing the underlying constraints that refrain the group to function sustainably. Therefore, this study was conducted in Kalahandi (one of the backward districts) and Puri districts of Odisha in the year 2022. Data was collected through structured interview schedule from 192 members of 48 Self Help Groups from Kalahandi and Puri districts of Odisha. Constraints with respect to organization, social, technological, input supply, credit, and finance were evaluated in the study. The Mean Score value (MS) value depicts Lack of motivation from Government (2.28), Irregular monitoring and supervision (2.18), inadequate supply of reference materials (2.18), restricted subsidy facilities (1.74), no insurance coverage (2.29) and low risk bearing ability among the member were the major constraints. Moreover, Insufficient infrastructure, no storage facility, exploitation by middle men were some of the production and marketing related constraints faced by the women groups. Besides the study concludes that socio-economic attributes of the respondents had no influence in exhibiting the constraints in functioning of Self Help Group activities.