Impact of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) on Socio-economic Status of Scheduled Caste Women in Rural Assam

Abstract

Poverty and issues like low literacy, lack of sufficient healthcare facilities and access of limited societal services are regularly distressing the deprived people living in rural areas. The monetary necessity is considered as the basic needs of the vulnerable people for their advancement in socio-economic life. Among the poor, the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) are the most disadvantaged groups, particularly living in rural areas of Assam. Microfinance through self-help groups may possibly be a preference to meet the basic requisite of financial of this vulnerable society. The present study reflects about microfinance impact on social and fiscal status of SC community under NRLM, particularly the SC women in the rural areas of North Bank corner in upper Assam. A survey was conducted comprising of 300 SC members with respect to their different social and economic aspects for development at four development blocks of Dhemaji and six development blocks of Lakhimpur district which are situated at North Bank corner of the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. Primary data and secondary data were the main sources of gathering data. For primary data collection, 10 SC member SHGs from sample development blocks were selected. Again using random sampling methods, from every selected SHG, 3 SC members were selected. Study showed that the SC women were capable to improve their cost of living standards through engaging in different economic activities independently after joining the SHGs. The study analysis also observed about the role played by these SHGs in improving the economic as well as the social life of the SC women in the area under study.