ROLE OF SELF HELP GROUPS FOR RURAL IMPROVEMENT - A CASE STUDY OF DISTRICT MEERUT

'Self-Help-Group' is a tool to remove poverty and improve the rural development. A SHGs is a small economically homogeneous affinity group of the rural poor voluntarily coming together to save small amount regularly which are deposited in a common fund to meet members emergency need and to provide collateral free loans decided by the group. Major function of SHGs is to create a common fund by the members through their regular savings and flexible working system and pool resources in a democratic way. The present study carried out in the three villages of Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, to analyse the income, expenditure and saving of the members after joining SHGs. The results showed that the maximum number of members were found of the 30-40 age groups, while younger (Less than 20) age found only 3.48% in SHGs. In the study area maximum number of members (55.65%) join the SHGs for getting financial support (loan) for their many needs of funds. The SHGs member income increased after joining the SHGs. This increases the willingness to participate in the SHGs activities. The monthly expenditure has been increased due to positive change in the SHGs members' income. The incremental income not only enhances the expenditure of the family but also promote the savings of the family after they join the SHGs.