Role of Jeevika programme in poverty alleviation in Bihar: A case study of Gaya district
- Bihar Journal of Public Administration
- 17(2), Jul-Dec, 2020: p.624-634
Bihar continues to exhibit the lowest human Development index (HDI) amongst the major states of India. Ninety per cent population of Bihar lives in the rural areas. The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) stands at 0.246 and proportion of poor population in Bihar is 33.7 percent of them, 22.1 percent come under severely poor population (GoI: 2019). The Gramin Bank microfinance becomes an important means of poverty alleviation through Self-help Groups (SHGs) by providing small credit to the rural poor. As such it becomes an imperative to examine the role of SHGs in poverty alleviation in Bihar. The present study is based on empirical enquiry by sampling two hundred fifty rural women associated with different SHGs run by JEEVIKA. Gaya district of Bihar was selected for case study to examine the role of Jeevika programme. The survey results reveal that jeevika has a positive impact on women empowerment through SHGs, in terms of improvement in social awareness, participation, savings habits, income level, self employment, asset creation, repayment of other debts, decision making skills, group solidarity and nutrition at their household. The SHGs have enabled poor women to get access of various financial products and services and many women to achieve social recognition. And most important through the institution jeevika, their Re socialization occurs and they develop their new identity in the society. – Reproduced
Poverty, JEEVIKA, Self-help groups (SHGs), Women empowerment, Livelihood.