Objectives: To investigate the employment opportunities and participation of SHG (Self-help Group) in selected households in Karnataka, India.
Methods/Statistical analysis: We selected Karnataka state intensively. For study purpose, we divided Karnataka into three regions: North, Central and South Karnataka. Among regions, two districts selected where the SC population is high and this is second stage. And third stage, two villages were selected where the SC population was high. In all selected villages, 150 sample households were selected randomly. The total sample size was 1800.
Findings: The major findings of the study are: half of the households did not get regular employment in their villages. Agriculture labour was the main occupation of the selected households. Among the households, forty eight per cent of the household were involved in Self-Help Group (SHG) activities during study period. Labour work is the main source to deposit the money in SHG. Thirdly, half of the households were having bank accounts in their respective villages. Some of the households not opened account in banks (50%), due to poverty and illiteracy were the main reasons. Five per cent of the households were availed loans from the banks some of the households were not getting loans from the banks due to lack of collateral security.
Application/Improvements: The government of Karnataka must provide needful financial assistance to the people without collateral in general and particularly in selected dalit households. In addition to that government shall provide employment opportunities to the dalit people in Karnataka.