Artha Vijnana: Journal of The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics

H. R. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension Education and Rural Sociology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Kangra 176062, Himachal Pradesh, IN

Abstract

The study shows successful functioning of self help groups formed by rural females in terms of indicators such as frequency of meetings held, attendance in the meetings, the proportion of members borrowing from groups, amount borrowed, amount saved, proportion of groups linked to banks, and so on. The average amount borrowed, both per group and per member, for different purposes did increase significantly over time. Of the total amount borrowed in the process of internal loaning, the consumption purposes and nonagricultural activities each accounted for around two-fifths and remained nearly unchanged over time. More than four-fifths of groups had got linked to the banks. Regarding purposes of loan from banks, the amount borrowed for agricultural activities in successive rounds of bank linkages remained nearly unchanged in comparison to that borrowed for non-agricultural activities which registered significant increase. The results of logit regression further revealed that while number of years of acquaintance among members and the proportion of group members belonging to near-landless category reduced the probability of a group defaulting in repayment, the proportion of members belonging to low income group actually raised it. The results, however, did not support the hypotheses that social cohesion of the groups in terms of similar caste affiliations of the members and their small size enhance the probability of high repayment performance.

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H. R. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Kangra 176 062 (H.P), IN

Abstract

The study based on the data emanating from Rural Labour Enquiry Reports, shows that daily real wage earnings of male and female agricultural labour belonging to differed social groups (all groups taken together, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe) registered an increase of varying degrees in agricultural and non-agricultural occupations both in pre-reform (1983 to 1993-94) and post-reform (1993-94 to 1999-00) periods. More important, however, the per cent per annum increase in the real wags earnings of all categories of labour decelerated  during the post-reform period compared to pre-reform period in a majority of the states.

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H. R. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur - 176 062, IN

Abstract

The study, based on Nss data, reveals thal the per cent of Total land Owned by the Households Belonging to Non-scheduled Caste and Tribe Declined by varying Degree during the 1980s practically in all the Major States of India. It, Pari Passu Implies an Increase in the Share of Land Owned by the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Households. Nonetheless, the per Cent of total Land, accounted for by Scheduled Caste Households was much less Compared to their Share in Total Population and also Compared to the Land Owned by the remaining Two Social Groups. Likewise, notwithstanding Decline in the Incidence of landlessness among all the Three Social groups in a Majority of the States, the Proportion of Landless Households among Scheduled Castes in about Half the States, was Higher Compared to both Scheduled Tribes and Non-scheduled Castes, and Tribes. The Amount of Total Land accounted for by Scheduled Caste Households was also Highly Unequally Distributed. Tne Extent of Inequaiities in the Distribution of Land, Measured by Gini Coefficient, mthe Proportion of Total Land Accounted for by the Households at the Top 1 Per Cent, 5 per Cent, 10 per Cent and 20 per Cent and the area Owned by Large Holdings, increased further between 1982 and 1992 in a majorily of the States Pointing towards an acceleration in the Process of Polarisation of Landholdings among Scheduled Castes.

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