Micro-Finance and Rural Development : A Critical Review

Micro-finance, micro-credit/ Self-Help Group (SHG) are very common words which we frequently come across today. The present volume critically deals with the role of micro-finance in rural development in India. The 23 papers included, in this volume critically looks in to the issue. Most of the papers are empirical in nature in that the papers involve field study and therefore reveal the experiences of the scholars regarding the role of micro-credit in rural development. The common tenor of all the papers is that micro-finance has helped the empowerment of rural folk who are members of self-help groups a number of ways though it is not a panacea for rural development and empowerment of rural population due to multiple problems associated the beneficiaries and the lending institutions and the intermediaries. The book will encourage researchers to undertake .further researches on the issue and it will facilitate the policy makers and administrators and other stake holders to take appropriate policies making the programme successful.