Impact of SGSY Programme on Economic Welfare of the Households in West Bengal

Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) is one of the dominant microfinance model for forming and functioning SHGs in India. It has become a new way of development and found to be the only practical and most appropriate solution to the deep seated challenges of poverty. The objectives of this study are to examine the impact on economic welfare of the Households (HHs) in West Ben by comparising pre & post-SHG situation. Multistage random sampling techniques have been used for the study. A total of 2076 members from 519 SHGs have been randomly selected form 10 blocks of two district namely Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur in West Bengal during January to March, 2018. The study examines economic welfare by the using of Economic Welfare Index Model. Firstly, we have constructed an index of economic welfare and finally to measure the economic welfare we have employed Z- test. The study observed that the economic welfare of the household belonging to SGSY- SHG members has been a significantly increase during post SHG period.