My job at SRLM (Jeevika) has given me an opportunity to work closely with the community driven development project implemented through Self Help Group. The career progression at SRLM also provided an opportunity to work with SHGs in the various stages i.e. from formation to maturity. The articles aims to analyse the experience of working and tries to documents the various aspects of the same. In the end the article will also try to assess the way forward with the SHGs.
The advantage that SHG network in Bihar is its outreach; the program has been rolled out by government of Bihar in all the 534 blocks. As per the NRLM total number of the SHGs in Bihar is around 5.5 lakhs which averages out to around 1030 SHGs per block. This average would go-up over the period of time as the project has been rolled out phase wise and majority of the blocks had this project in the year 2013-14. Given that average size of the SHG as per NRLM guidelines is 12 which makes the average size of the SHG network per block to 12360; as stated earlier this would increase with increase in number of the SHGs. It is also important to keep in mind that there is one member from one household as such this makes the outreach to average 12000 families per block. These numbers will help in understanding the reach and magnitude of the SHGs.
The problem prevailing with CBOs is the interest of the member decreases over period of time which results in fewer meetings, lesser attendance and lesser cohesion among group members. Over the period of the time it has been found that the frequency of the meetings and interest of the members in these SHGs over the period of the time decreases. This can be attributed primarily to the failure to introduce new products for the SHGs. The redundancy of the regular meeting saving and inter loaning leads to disinterest of the members in the SHGs as such it gets imperative for the implementation agencies to maintain the level of the interest of the members in these CBOS. This can be achieved primarily through the introduction of new products; that is using these CBOs as the platform for implementing the policies and schemes. The existing network of SHGs can be leveraged in order to increase the base of the popular schemes like MGNREGA, NSAP, IAY etc. This will help these existing programs in right targeting and increasing beneficiary base. This will help in bridging both the supply and demand side gap. On the part of the community based organizations it will keep them vibrant. This in more technical term is called “convergence” and is very much way forward for these community based organization.
In order to achieve the convergence it has to be ensured by the government that the both the institutions are on the level playing field. There is high probability that the bureaucracy might take over the community based organization and push their agenda. It would be responsibility of the management of these SRLMs to ensure that the same is not done and convergence happens on equal terms. This is very essential for the survival of the Community based organization. The same is already being done by the government of Bihar through implementation of Lohiya Swatch Bharat mission and other schemes. The time would tell us about the efficacy and efficiency but of now this seems a step in right direction.
- Abhishek Singh (can be reached at abhi1471989@gmail.com)
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