SGSY: Need Demand from Below

This is with reference to the article “SGSY: Need for a Paradigm Shift” by Rajaram Dasgupta (EPW, 24 October 2009). He has framed his views on the basis of his experiences of the southern states particularly Andhra Pradesh where the self-help group (SHG) movement has roots. I share my experiences of working on SHGs in general and the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) in particular in northern India.

First, building and sustaining social capital is important for meeting the objectives of the SGSY which is being restructured as the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). It is also imperative to take up convergence and coordination among various programmes.