FINANCING SHGs AND ROLE OF RASHTRIYA SEVA SAMITHI (RASS) – AN ANALYTICAL REVIEW

ABSTRACT RURAL WOMEN in India constitute a significant part of the total population of the country and their backwardness is one of the major handicrafts in the path of country’s progress. In the rural society characterized by deep rooted, age old-sex discrimination, economic oppression and social stratification of women have occupied a place much below the men generally, it can be stated that the status and dependence of the women in any society is closely connected with their economic position. The economic dependence, therefore, is the main cause for the inferior place of women in the society. The economic contribution women is related to their status and role in the family and in the society. If woman is economically a parasite, she can never claim an equal status with men and become omnipotent. Micro finance plays a stupendous role in improving the economy of the SHS members. The role of NGOs like RASS goes a long way in improving the socio – economic conditions of down-trodden women. Through micro finance, RASS has been a doing a commendable job in empowering women. It would be a centre to identify some more income generating activities especially for women in rural areas. Against this backdrop the present paper examines the role of (RASS) (NGO) in financing SHGs from different angles. An analysis relating to SHG-wise, activity- wise, type-wise, branch-wise loans, deployed by RASS in financing SHGs. The paper is of immense use in understanding the financing pattern of RASS and also enable to arrivate at concrete inferences so as to make the RASS more effective in its activation.