Understanding Economic Viability of Self-Help Groups for Poor: Evidence of Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh

Micro-finance is always considered as poverty alleviation tool for deprived people. It provides platform to develop business strategies for livelihood. But the impact of micro-finance on poor is always dubious. This paper attempts to provide base to understand the area of effectiveness of micro-finance programme via selfhelp group. The study is based on primary data taken from Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. The study shows that about more than 40 per cent beneficiaries belong to landless households. The average saving significantly increased in all SHG groups, while pace of change is highest in older groups. The study also confirms that more than half of total loan amount has been spent on non-income generating activities.