Chapter 4. Socio-Economic Profile of Sample Households in Punjab

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1 Chapter 4 SocioEconomic Profile of Sample Households in Punjab 4.1 About Punjab The Punjab state is situated in the northwestern side of India. It is bounded on the north by the state of Jammu & Kashmir, on the east by Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, on the south by Haryana and Rajasthan, and on the west by Pakistan. Chandigarh is the administrative capital of Punjab. Most of Punjab is a fertile plain. Towards the southeast of Punjab one finds semiarid and desert landscape and in the northeast there is a belt of undulating hills at the foot of the Himalayas. Four rivers, the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Ghaggar flow across the state in a southwesterly direction. They have numerous small and seasonal tributaries. In addition, Punjab is watered by an extensive canal system. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Punjab and forms the backbone of the state economy. Since independence, over 6 decades, the state has earned its epithet "Granary of India" through the enterprising spirit, and untiring toil of its people. The state is the first to translate agricultural technology into the "Green Revolution", recording highest growth rate in food production. Punjab state, with only 1.54 per cent of geographical area of the country, produced 20 per cent of wheat, 9 per cent of rice and 14 per cent of cotton of the total produce of these crops in the country. Punjab is first in average per hectare yield of rice, wheat and cotton in the country (Economics Survey of Punjab, ). Punjab leads in the manufacture of machine tools, hand tools, printing machinery, textiles, auto parts, electrical switchgear, fertilizers, starch and processing of sugar and pine oil. These products have made a good position in the market across the world. Punjab provides more than 75 per cent of the country's requirement for bicycles, sewing machines, hosiery and sports goods. The state has over 2. lakh of small and medium industries and about 600 largescale industries (Economics Survey of Punjab, ). According to Economic Survey of Punjab (2009) the State Domestic Product (SDP) at prices is Rs. 85, crore during which increased to Rs. 97, crore in The overall economy of Punjab has shown a growth rate in 101

2 1 SDP of 4.5 per cent during and 7.32 and 6.54 per cent during and 2007 respectively. The per capita income has been estimated at Rs in , and 30,1 and 31,439 during and 2007 respectively. Since the base year the structural composition of the State s economy has witnessed progressive changes as shown in Table 4.1. In , the share of agriculture sector in gross state domestic product is.27 per cent that has declined to per cent in (not given in table). The share of primary sector that included agriculture and livestock had come down from per cent in to per cent in The share of secondary sector has increased from per cent in to per cent in 2007, which is mainly due to increase in contribution from construction sector. The share of tertiary sector that comprised of services sector along with trade, transport, banking, insurance and public administration has increased from per cent in to per cent in This growth is mainly due to the increase in contribution from transport, storage, communication sector, banking and insurance sector. It is evident from above analysis that structurally economy of Punjab is following a good trend under which the share of agricultural sector in gross state domestic product is declining and share of secondary and tertiary sectors is increasing. Table 4.1: Sectorwise Contribution of Gross State Domestic Product (At Prices) Sectorwise Percentage Share in Gross State Domestic Product Sector Primary Secondary Tertiary Source: Economic Survey of Punjab , In , more than 28 per cent population of Punjab state was living below the poverty line, which came down to 6.16 per cent in and 5.20 per cent in Punjab is, thus, well on the way to tackle the problem of poverty. During the year 2005, there were 9.78 lakh persons in rural areas and 3.52 lakh persons in urban areas living below the poverty line in Punjab (Economic Survey of Punjab 2009).

3 103 To tackle the problem of poverty, different schemes of central government for rural as well as urban areas, such as Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana, National Food for Work Programme, Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana etc. are in operation in the state. 4.2 Sample Districts and Blocks of Punjab The administrative division of the state is into 20 districts, viz. Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Ropar, Mohali, Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Ferozepur and Barnala. Agroclimatically, Punjab may be divided into three parts: Alluvial Plains, Hilly Submountainous Strip, and Sandy Region. For the purpose of the present study, one district is selected from each region. As a result, Jalandhar district from alluvial plains, Hoshiarpur district from submountainous region and Bathinda district from sandy region is selected as discussed in the methodology. This chapter is divided into three sections. In the first section, a comparative analysis of the districts, which are selected for the purpose of the study, is taken on the basis of secondary data collected from different sources. In the second section, socioeconomic profile of the sample households is discussed on the basis of primary data collected from field study. Third section is related with the general characteristics of selfhelp groups which are surveyed for the purpose of this study. SectionI 4.3 Location of the Sample Districts Jalandhar Jalandhar district is located almost in the middle of Punjab. This is the intensively irrigated plain area between the Beas and Sutlej rivers. Jalandhar was the capital of Punjab from India's independence (1947) until Chandigarh was built in 1953 and now it is headquarter of one of the revenue divisions of Punjab. Jalandhar is situated at 71 o 31' east longitudes and 30 o 33' north latitude at a distance of 146 km from the state capital, Chandigarh. It is at a distance of 350 km from New Delhi on DelhiAmritsar highway. The nearest airport is at Amritsar at a distance of km. The city, which has major road and rail connections, is a market for agricultural products. Manufactures include sports

4 1 goods, leather goods, wood products and textiles. It is surrounded by Ludhiana district in east, Kapurthala in west, Hoshiarpur in north and Ferozepur in south. Figure 4.1: Location of the Sample Districts in the Map of Punjab Hoshiarpur Hoshiarpur district is located in the northeast part of the state. It falls in the Jalandhar revenue division and is situated in Doaba region of the state. The district is submountainous and there are stretches of river Beas in northwest. It lies between 30 o 9' and 32 o 05' north latitude and 75 o 32' and 76 o 12' east longitudes. It shares common boundaries with Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts in southwest, Gurdaspur district in the northwest, and Kangra & Una districts of Himachal Pradesh state in the northeast Bathinda Bathinda district, the heart of Malwa region, is situated in the in the Southwestern region of the state and is far away from the Shivalik hills in the north. It forms part of Faridkot revenue division and is situated between 29 o 33' & 30 o 36' north latitude and 74 o 38' and 75 o 46' east longitude. The district is surrounded by Sangrur and Mansa districts in the east, Moga in the northeast, Faridkot & Muktsar districts in the northwest,

5 105 and Sirsa & Fatehabad districts of Haryana state in the south. The soil of the district is mostly sandy. It is close to the Thar desert of Rajasthan and also far away from the major rivers that run through the state. Therefore, climatically, the district remains very hot in summer. 4.4 Administrative Divisions of the Districts The administrative division of the state is into 20 districts, 72 tehsils and 141 blocks. Table 4.2 shows the administrative divisions of the districts selected for the study. The Jalandhar district consists of five tehsils/subdivisions JalandharI, Jalandhar II, Nakodar, Phillaur and Shahkot. The district is divided into ten development blocks, Jalandhar East, Jalandhar West, Bhogpur, Adampur, Nakodar, Shahkot, Phillaur, Nurmahal, Lohian and Rurka Kalan. Hoshiarpur district consists of four tehsils/subdivisions, viz. Hoshiarpur, Dasuya, Mukerian and Garhshankar. The district is divided into ten development blocks, viz. HoshiarpurI, HoshiarpurII, Bhunga, Tanda, Dasuya, Mukerian, Talwara, Hajipur, Mahilpur and Garhshankar. District Bathinda is divided into three Tehsils Bathinda, Rampura Phul and Talwandi Sabo. These tehsils have been further divided into eight blocks, namely Bathinda, Sangat, Nathana, Rampura, Phul, Maur, Bhagta Bhaika and Talwandi Sabo. Table 4.2: Administrative Divisions of the Selected Districts Name of District No. of Tehsils No. of Blocks Jalandhar Hoshiarpur 10 Bathinda 03 Punjab Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Area and Population area of Punjab is 50,362 square kilometers as per 2001 census. Punjab occupies 1.54 per cent of the total geographical area of the country. Table 4.3 shows the total area and population as per 2001 census. According to 2001 census population of the state is 2.44 crores which is 2.03 crores as per 1991 census. The rate of growth of population is 1.82 per cent per annum as per census Two third (66.1 per cent) of

6 106 the total population resides in rural areas and the remaining one third (33.9 per cent) in urban areas. The area of Jalandhar district is 2,632 square kilometer. The total population of the district is lakh. area of Hoshiarpur district is 3,365 square kilometers with a population of lakh. area of Bathinda district is 3,385 square kilometers. The population of this district is lakh. Table 4.3: Area and Population of the Selected Districts Name of District Area ( in sq. km.) Rural Population Urban Population Jalandhar 2,632 10,30,717 9,31,983 (53) (47) Hoshiarpur 3,365 11,88,662 2,92,074 (80) (20) Bathinda 3,385 8,31,541 3,51,754 (70) (30) Punjab 50,362 1,60,96,488 82,62,511 (66) (34) Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of population. Population 19,62,700 14,80,736 11,83,295 2,43,58, Composition of Population Table 4.4 shows the composition of population in terms of male and female population. Out of the total population of Punjab, 53 per cent comprise of male population and 47 per cent is the female population. In Jalandhar and Bathinda districts, the composition of male and female population is the same as that of Punjab state. In Hoshiarpur district, the ratio of male and female population is 52 and 48 per cent respectively. Table 4.4: Sexwise Population in the Selected Districts (in lakhs) District Male Population Female Population Population Jalandhar 10,40,177 9,22,523 19,62,700 (53) (47) Hoshiarpur 7,65,132 7,15,6 14,80,736 (52) (48) Bathinda 6,32,809 5,50,486 11,83,295 (53) (47) Punjab 1,29,85,5 1,13,73,954 2,43,58,999 (53) (47) Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of population.

7 Sex Ratio Table 4.5 highlights the districtwise sex ratio for the years 1991 and In Punjab, the sex ratio is 876 which shows that for every 1000 males the number of females are 876. The sex ratio is low in 2001 as compared to 1991 for Punjab as well as for Jalandhar and Bathinda districts. Sex ratio is the lowest in Bathinda district and the highest in Hoshiarpur district. Table 4.5: Sex Ratio in the Selected Districts District Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Literacy In the statistical abstracts of Punjab, a person who can both read and write with understanding any of the languages is defined as literate. Table 4.6 shows the sexwise literacy rate for urban and rural population. Out of the total population of Punjab, 69.7 per cent are literate in 2001 as compared to per cent in The literacy rate in urban areas is 79.1 per cent as against 64.7 per cent in rural areas. The rate for male and female literacy is 75.2 per cent and 63.4 per cent respectively according to 2001 census. The rate of literacy for Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda districts is 78.0; 81.0 and 61.2 per cent respectively. The literacy rate for rural and urban areas is 73.9 per cent and 82.6 per cent in Jalandhar district, 79.8 per cent and 85.8 per cent in Hoshiarpur district, and 55.1 per cent and 75.4 per cent in Bathinda district. Table 4.6: Literacy Rate for Urban and Rural Population in the Selected Districts Literacy Rate (Percentage) District Rural Population Urban Population Population Male Female Male Female Male Female Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Note: Literacy has been worked out after excluding the children between 06 years.

8 1 4.9 Number of Villages and Towns Table 4.7 shows the number of villages in the selected districts. There are 12,673 villages in Punjab out of which 12,278 are inhabited and 395 villages are uninhabited. In Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda districts there are 950; 1,417; and 284 villages respectively. In Punjab there are 157 towns out of which 14 are situated in Jalandhar, 12 in Hoshiarpur and 9 in Bathinda district. Table 4.7: Number of Villages and Towns in the Selected Districts District Uninhabited Inhabited No. of Villages Villages Villages Towns Jalandhar Hoshiarpur 31 1,386 1, Bathinda Punjab ,278 12, Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Occupational Status Number of Workers and Nonworkers Work is defined as participation in any economically productive activity. Such participation may be physical or mental in nature. Workers are categorized as main and marginal workers. Main workers are those who work for the major part of a year, i.e., who are engaged in any economically productive activity for 183 days or more during the year. Marginal workers are those who do not work for a major part of the year, i.e., those who work for less than 183 days in a year; and nonworkers are those who do not work for any time in a year. Table 4.8 carries the districtwise data showing workers and nonworkers in Punjab. Table 4.8: Number of Workers and Nonworkers in the Selected Districts (in 2001) Dist. Main Workers Marginal Workers Nonworkers % Male Female Male Female Male Female age* Jal. 5,16,5 82,419 5,99,324 41,597 35,914 77,511 4,81,675 8,, 12,85, Hsp. 3,41,093 74,030 4,15,123 46,9 51,959 98,228 3,77,770 5,89,615 9,67, Bti. 3,24,536 84,388 4,,924 24,692 67,051 91,473 2,83,581 3,99,7 6,82, Pun. 64,,8 14,09,7 78,35,732 5,34,185 7,57,557 12,91,742 60,24,832 92,06,693 1,52,31, Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab *Percentage of main and marginal workers in total population. LEGENDS: Jal.= Jalandhar; Hsp.= Hoshiarpur; Bti.= Bathinda; Pun.= Punjab

9 109 The table explains that among the workers the ratio of male is much higher as compared to the female. In Punjab, the ratio of main and marginal workers in total population is per cent. However, the figures for Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda districts are 34.49, and per cent respectively Division of Workers in Different Work Categories Table 4.9 shows the different categories of main and marginal workers, such as cultivators, agriculture labourers, workers engaged in household industry, etc. In Punjab, 23 per cent of the workers are doing cultivation, 16 per cent are agricultural labourers, 4 per cent are engaged in household industry and 57 per cent are performing other services. In all the three districts it is found that large numbers of workers are engaged in agriculture and very low percentage of workers are involved in household industry. Table 4.9: Working Population and Work Categories in the Selected Districts District Categories of Main and Marginal Workers Cultivators Agriculture Labourers Working in HH Industry Other Services Main and Marginal Workers Jalandhar 94,511 (14) 74,501 (11) 30,161 (05) 4,77,662 (70) 6,76,835 Hoshiarpur 1,23,458 (24) 85,383 (17) 14,337 (03) 2,,173 (56) 5,13,351 Bathinda 1,49,076 (30) 1,07,437 (21) 15,380 (03) 2,28,774 (46) 5,00,667 Punjab 20,65,067 (23) 14,89,861 (16) 3,33,770 () Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages. 52,38,776 (57) 91,27, Comparative Study of the Blocks Profile For the purpose of the study, three blocks from each of these districts are selected where there are a large number of credit linked SHGs. From Jalandhar district, Jalandhar East, Jalandhar West and Nakodar blocks are selected. From Hoshiarpur district HoshiarpurI, Garhshankar, Bhunga; and from Bathinda district Bathinda, Sangat and Nathana blocks are selected. Table 4.10 presents the blockwise total number of villages, total population, number of families, number of workers and number of literates.

10 110 Table 4.10: Blockwise Population, Number of Families, Number of Workers and Number of Literates in the Selected Districts District Block No. of Villages Population Male Female No. of Families Agriculture Workers Nonagriculture Workers Percentage of Workers in Population of Block Number & Percentage of Literates Jalandhar East 96 1,,618 66,225 60,393 23,325 10,421 31, ,298 (68) Jalandhar Jalandhar West 144 1,31,4 69,130 61,894 23,850 16,549 30, ,143 (66) Nakodar 141 1,60,380 83,5 76,876 28,425 25,915 32, ,959 (60) Garhshankar 146 1,60,620 83,522 77,098 31,173 24,536 36, ,05,592 (66) Hoshiarpur Hoshiarpur ,42,630 74,376 68,254,859 18,188 31, ,,2 (73) Bhunga 199 1,29,038 65,794 63,244 24,478 18,720, ,8 (71) Nathana 32 1,29,5 72,059 56,966 22,648 20,761 35, ,668 (56) Bathinda Sangat 38 1,00,681 52,9 47,772 17,300 29,227 20, ,314 (46) Bathinda 57 1,68,979 89,821 79,158 29,307 40,091 33, ,481 (48) Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of literates.

11 111 The table shows that Jalandhar East block of Jalandhar district consists of 96 villages and the population of the block is 1,,618 with 68 per cent literacy rate. In this block, 33 per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. Jalandhar West block of Jalandhar district consists of 144 villages. The population of the block is 1,31,4 and 66 per cent of these are literate. Thirtysix per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. Nakodar block of Jalandhar district consists of 141 villages. The population of the block is 1,60,380 out of which 52 per cent are male. Sixty per cent of the total population is literate. Thirtysix per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. Garhshankar block of Hoshiarpur district consists of 146 villages. The population of the block is 1,60,620 out of which 52 per cent are male. Sixtysix per cent of the total population is literate. Thirtyeight per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. Hoshiarpur1 block of Hoshiarpur district consists of 186 villages. The population of the block is 1,42,630 out of which 52 per cent are male. Seventythree per cent of the total population is literate. Thirtyfive per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. Bhunga block of Hoshiarpur district consists of 199 villages. The population of the block is 1,29,038 out of which 51 per cent are male. Seventyone per cent of the total population is literate. Thirtyfive per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. Nathana block of Bathinda district consists of 32 villages. The population of the block is 1,29,5 out of which 56 per cent are male. Literacy rate in the blocks of Bathinda district is very low as compared to the surveyed blocks of other districts. Fiftysix per cent of the total population is literate. Fortyfour per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. Sangat block of Bathinda district consists of 38 villages. The population of the block is 1,00,681 out of which 53 per cent are male. Just 46 per cent of the total population is literate. Fortynine per cent population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations.

12 112 Bathinda block of Bathinda district consists of 57 villages. The population of the block is 1,68,979 out of which 53 per cent are male. Just 48 per cent of the total population is literate. Fortythree per cent of the population is engaged in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations. SectionII This section provides an overview of the salient socioeconomic characteristics of the sample households, SHG participants and nonparticipants covered under the study. The sample consists of microfinance programme participants from 60 SHGs operating in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda districts of Punjab. Similar number of nonparticipants are also surveyed from these three districts. In this way, 380 respondents are surveyed in this study Age of the Respondents According to the guidelines of NABARD, an individual above 18 years can become a member of an SHG. In the present study, most of the surveyed participants and nonparticipants are in the age group of to 40 years. This age group is considered as the most productive period. Table 4.11 presents the age group of surveyed respondents. Table 4.11: Age of the Respondents Characteristic Category Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Below 25 years 06 (07) (03) () 13 (15) 11 (15) 07 (27) 31 (16) Agewise Distribution of Sample Units to 40 years 41 to 60 years 50 (55) 32 (36) 43 (58) 28 (38) 15 (58) 09 (34) 1 (57) 69 (36) 53 (59) 22 (24) 38 (51) 22 (30) 13 (50) 05 (19) 1 (55) 49 () Above 60 years () 01 (01) () 05 (03) () 03 () 01 () 06 (03) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants.

13 113 It is found that among the participants 4 per cent are in the age group below 25 years, 57 per cent in 40 years, 36 per cent in 4160 years and only 3 per cent in above 60 years of age group. Among the nonparticipants 16 per cent are in the age group of below 25 years, 55 per cent in 40 years, per cent in 4160 years and 3 per cent in above 60 years of age group Marital Status of the Respondents Most of the surveyed women respondents are found married and the proportion of the unmarried girls and widows is very low. Table 4.12 shows that 89 per cent of the participants and 81 per cent of the nonparticipants are married women. The proportion of widows is 8 per cent for both participants and nonparticipants. Three per cent of the participants and 11 per cent of the nonparticipants are unmarried. Table 4.12: Marital Status of the Respondents Characteristic Category Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Married 79 (88) 65 (88) 170 (89) 69 (77) 63 (85) 23 (88) 155 (81) Marital Status Widow 07 () (11) 15 () 09 (10) 05 (07) 14 (8) Unmarried () 01 (01) 05 (03) 12 (13) 06 () 03 (12) 21 (11) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants Caste of the Respondents The distribution of the respondents by social group shows that majority of the participants and nonparticipants belong to scheduled castes. Table 4.13 shows that 65 per cent of the participants and 78 per cent of the nonparticipants belong to scheduled castes. Eight per cent of both participants and nonparticipants belong to backward class and 27 per cent of the participants and 14 per cent of the nonparticipants are from general category.

14 114 Characteristic Castewise Distribution of Sample Units Table 4.13: Community Characteristics of the Respondents Category S.C. B.C. General Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. 66 (73) 07 () 17 (19) 46 (62) 05 (07) 23 (31) (42) (16) 11 (42) 123 (65) 16 () 51 (27) 79 (88) () 07 () 55 (74) (11) 11 (15) (54) (15) (31) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants. 148 (78) 16 (8) (14) 4.15 Educational Status of the Respondents Most of the participants and nonparticipants are literate. Table 4.14 shows that 73 per cent of the participants and 66 per cent of the nonparticipants are literate. Fortyfour per cent of the participants are studied up to middle level, 23 per cent up to matric and 6 per cent above matric level. Among the nonparticipants, 38 per cent are qualified up to middle, 21 per cent up to matric, and 7 per cent above matric level. The study also reveals that the level of literacy is very low among the Bathinda district participants. Sixtyone per cent of the participants and 58 per cent of the nonparticipants in Bathinda district are found illiterate. Characteristic Level of Education Table 4.14: Educational Status of the Respondents Category Illiterate Up to Middle Matric Above Matric Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. 24 (27) 34 (38) 27 (30) 05 (05) 11 (15) 41 (56) 16 (21) 06 () (61) 07 (27) 01 () () 51 (27) 83 (44) 44 (23) 12 (06) 28 (31) 34 (38) 19 (21) 09 (10) 22 (30) 33 (44) 16 (22) 03 () (58) 05 (19) 05 (19) 01 () Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants. 65 (34) 72 (38) 40 (21) 13 (07)

15 Housing Status of the Respondent Households Ownership of House Table 4.15 shows the housing status of the respondents. It is found that almost all the respondents are living in their own houses. Ninetynine per cent of the participants and 97 per cent nonparticipants live in their own houses and the remaining 1 per cent and 3 per cent respectively occupy rented houses. None of the participants and nonparticipants in Bathinda district are found living in a rented house. Table 4.15: Ownership of House Ownership Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Own House (99) (99) (99) (97) (97) (97) Rented House (01) (01) (01) (03) (03) (03) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants Condition of House Table 4.16 shows that most of the respondents live in pucca houses, i.e., 56 per cent of the participants and 46 per cent of the nonparticipants live in fully concrete houses, whereas 36 per cent of the participants and 40 per cent of the nonparticipants live in semipucca houses. Only 8 per cent of the participants and 14 per cent of the nonparticipants occupy kucha houses. Table 4.16: Condition of House Condition Participants Nonparticipants of House Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun Pucca (61) (51) (50) (56) (53) (38) (46) (46) Semipucca Kucha 32 (36) 03 (03) (35) 10 (14) 11 (42) () 69 (36) 15 () 34 (38) (09) 33 (44) 13 (18) 09 (35) 05 (19) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants. 76 (40) (14)

16 Amenities Available to the Respondent Households Drinking Water Facility The survey reveals that majority of the participants and nonparticipants have access to hand pump for clean drinking water and the proportion is highest in Bathinda district. Table 4.17 exhibits the sources of drinking water used by the respondents. It is found that 40 per cent of the participants and 41 per cent of the nonparticipants have hand pump facility in their houses, whereas in Bathinda district this ratio is 58 per cent and 54 per cent for the participants and nonparticipants respectively. Thirtysix per cent of the participants and 33 per cent of the nonparticipants get drinking water from the public water supply tap in their street. However, 22 per cent of the participants and 25 per cent of the nonparticipants have the public supply of water in their houses. However, the use of wells as the source of drinking water is very limited among the respondents. Table 4.17: Source of Drinking Water Source of Participants Nonparticipants Drinking Water Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Hand Pump Well Public Supply Street Tap 29 (33) 01 (01) 30 (33) 30 (33) 32 (43) (03) 05 (07) 35 (47) 15 (58) (31) 03 (11) 76 (40) 03 () 43 (22) 68 (36) 37 (41) 23 () 30 (33) (35) 03 () 18 (24) 27 (37) 14 (54) 06 (23) 06 (23) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants. 77 (41) 03 (01) 47 (25) 63 (33) Cooking Fuel Used The respondents were asked about the cooking fuel used by them. The data given in Table 4.18 shows that majority of the participants, i.e., 46 per cent use both L.P.G. and other traditional fuels such as wood, coal, dungcakes etc. as compared to 34 per cent of the nonparticipants. But majority of the nonparticipants, i.e., 49 per cent are dependent on traditional cooking fuel only as compared to 39 per cent of the participants. The use

17 117 of only L.P.G. is less among both types of respondents, i.e., 15 per cent and 17 per cent for the participants and nonparticipants respectively. Cooking Fuel L.P.G. Other Both Table 4.18: Cooking Fuel Used Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. 17 (19) 29 (32) 44 (49) (11) 32 (43) 34 (46) 03 (11) 14 (54) 09 (35) 28 (15) 75 (39) 87 (46) 11 (12) 47 (52) 32 (36) 17 (23) 38 (51) 19 () (15) 09 (35) 13 (50) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants. 32 (17) 94 (49) 64 (34) Drainage, Toilet and Telephone Facility The respondents were asked questions about the availability of basic facilities like drainage, toilet and telephone available at their houses. The results are shown in Table Type of Facility Drainage Toilet Telephone/ Mobile Yes Table 4.19: Drainage, Toilet and Telephone Facility Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. No Yes No Yes No 61 (68) 29 (32) 43 (48) 47 (52) 72 (97) (03) 28 (38) 46 (62) 27 (36) 47 (64) 20 (77) 06 (23) 10 (38) 16 (62) 14 (54) 12 (46) 182 (96) () 99 (52) 91 (48) 84 (44) 106 (56) 87 (97) 03 (03) 46 (51) 44 (49) 39 (43) 51 (57) 68 (92) 06 () 37 (50) 37 (50) 27 (36) 47 (64) 15 (58) 11 (42) 18 (69) (31) 09 (35) 17 (65) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants. 170 (89) 20 (11) 101 (53) 89 (47) 75 (39) 115 (61)

18 118 It is found that almost all the participants, i.e., 96 per cent have the drainage facility at their houses as compared to 89 per cent of the nonparticipants. It is also found that drainage facility is maximum in Jalandhar district and minimum in Bathinda district. Regarding the availability of toilet facility almost half of the respondents, i.e., 52 per cent of the participants and 53 per cent of nonparticipants have this facility at their houses. Fortyeight per cent of the participants and 47 per cent of the nonparticipants do not have any type of toilet pit or flush toilet at their houses. Respondents are asked whether they have the telephone facility (either mobile or landline phone) for communication with others. The results of the survey provide that 44 per cent of the participants and 39 per cent of the nonparticipants have this facility, whereas majority of them, i.e., 56 per cent of the participants and 61 per cent of nonparticipants do not have telephone at their houses Demographic Features of the Respondent Households Number of Family Members The family structure of the respondent households is given in Table The table shows that just two per cent of the participants and nonparticipants have small families with up to two children. Sixty per cent of the participant households and 58 per cent of the nonparticipant households have medium size families with three to five children. However, 38 per cent of the participants and 40 per cent of the nonparticipants have more than six children in their families. Table 4.20: Number of Family Members No. of Family Participants Nonparticipants Members Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Up to () 57 (63) 31 (35) (03) 45 (61) 27 (36) (46) 14 (54) () 114 (60) 72 (38) () 52 (58) 36 (40) (03) 42 (57) 30 (40) (65) 09 (35) () 111 (58) 75 (40) Average Size of Household Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants.

19 119 It is also found that in Bathinda district the participants have relatively larger family sizes as compared to the participants in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts. It is also found that on average both the participant and nonparticipant households have approximately five members in their families. But the average household size is of six members for the participants in Bathinda district Number of Earning Members The respondents were also asked about the number of earning members in their families. Table 4.21 shows that in two per cent of the participant households there is no earning member in their families. Seventythree per cent of both the participants and nonparticipants have up to two earning members in their families. Twentytwo per cent of the participants and 25 per cent of the nonparticipants have three to four earning members. Just three per cent of the participants and two per cent of the nonparticipants have more than four earning members in their families. It is found that on an average both the participants and nonparticipant households have 2 earning members in their families. Table 4.21: Number of Earning Members No. of Earning Participants Nonparticipants Members Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. No Earning Member (01) () () (77) (66) (77) (73) (69) (76) (77) (73) (19) (27) (19) (22) (28) (23) (23) (25) 5 and Above (03) (03) () (03) (03) (01) () Average No. of Earning Members Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants Education of the Children Table 4.22 shows the education pattern of male and female children of the respondents. The table reveals that almost all the participant and nonparticipant women are equally aware of the importance of schooling of their children.

20 120 Table 4.22: Education Pattern of Children of Participants and Nonparticipants Age Group (in yrs.) 05 Sex Children of Participants Children of Nonparticipants Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab No. M 14 F 10 School going 07 (50) 07 (70) No School going 3 (50) (44) No. 13 School going 05 (38) No School going 15 (45) 11 (55) No School going 05 (45) 11 (69) No School going 2 (15) (44) No School going 01 (14) 01 (33) No School going () 20 (54) 610 M 25 F (94) 13 (93) (98) 32 (97) (96) (89) (98) 43 (96) 1117 M 53 F (77) (87) 24 (80) (70) 07 (70) (80) 68 (88) (80) 31 (86) (79) 20 (71) (67) 06 (55) (79) 57 (77) 1825 M 49 F 46 (16) 17 (37) (56) 14 (42) (23) (31) 31 (34) (12) 07 (17) (12) 03 () (07) (13) (11) 12 (13) Note: Figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of school going children of participants and nonparticipants.

21 121 Almost 100 per cent of the children of both participants and nonparticipants in the age group of 6 to 10 years are attending schools. Eighty per cent of the male and 88 per cent of the female children of the participants in the age group of 11 to 17 years are going to schools as compared to 79 per cent and 77 per cent of the male and female children of nonparticipants in this age group. But a difference is found among participants and nonparticipants regarding providing higher education to their children. It is found that 31 per cent of the male and 34 per cent of the female children of the participants in the age group of 1825 years are getting higher education as compared to just 11 per cent and 13 per cent of male and female children of nonparticipants in this age group Land Holding Pattern of the Respondent Households The study found the land ownership status of both participants and nonparticipants. Table 4.23 shows that 23 per cent of the participants and 15 per cent of the nonparticipants possess irrigated or nonirrigated land. Seventyseven per cent of the participants and 85 per cent of the nonparticipants are landless households. Value of Land Owned Less than or equal to Rs. 1,00,000 Rs. 1,00,000 to 2,00,000 Rs. 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 Rs. 5,00,000 to 10,00,000 Above Rs. 10,00,000 No. of Households having Land No. of Households not having Land Table 4.23: Value of Land Owned Participants Nonparticipants Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun (03) (01) (01) () (01) (01) (07) (03) (03) (01) () (18) () () (11) (03) () (05) () () (05) () (03) () (05) (27) (07) (07) (07) () (07) (07) (38) (31) (23) (07) (20) (31) (15) (93) (62) (69) (77) (93) (80) (69) (85) Average Value of Land 1,40,000 3,18,243 5,38,461 2,63,947 2,97,778 2,12,838 1,80,769 2,48,684 Owned (in Rs.) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants.

22 122 The table also shows the average value of landholding. A perusal of the table reveals that average value of land owned by participant households is Rs. 2,63,947 and average value of landholding among the nonparticipants is Rs. 2,48,684. The ownership of land holding is least among the participants of Jalandhar district. The average value of land owned is the highest for Bathinda district participants which is Rs. 5,38,461, more than double of the average value of land holding by the participants in Punjab. The table further reveals that just one per cent of both the participants and nonparticipants own land of value less than Rs. 1,00,000. Three per cent of the participants and one per cent of the nonparticipants have land of value Rs. 1,00,000 to 2,00,000. Similarly, eight per cent of the participants and three per cent of the nonparticipants have land of the value Rs. 2,00,000 to 5,00,000. The table also provides that eleven per cent of the participants and ten per cent of the nonparticipants have land of value more than Rs. 5,00,000. It is also found that in Bathinda district all the landowners possess land of value more than Rs. 5,00,000 and majority of the landowners have land of value Rs. 10,00,000 and above Possession of Consumer Durables by the Respondent Households Both participants and nonparticipants were asked questions about the possession of livestock and consumer durables. The responses from the respondents are presented in Table A perusal of the table reveals that approximately 93 per cent of the participants and 81 per cent of the nonparticipants possess tables and chairs. Fiftytwo per cent of the participants and 40 per cent of the nonparticipants have almirahs. Fortyfive per cent of the participants and 32 per cent of the nonparticipants possess livestock, such as cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, etc. It is found that the percentage of respondents possessing livestock is the highest in Bathinda district. Eighty per cent of the participants own bicycles and 32 per cent of the participants own scooters/motorcycles as compared to 73 per cent and 29 per cent of the nonparticipants respectively. Almost all of the respondents have the ceiling/table fans in their houses. Eightyfour per cent of the participants and 82 per cent of the nonparticipants have pressure cookers. Eightytwo per cent of the participants and 79 per cent of the nonparticipants possess televisions and 55 per cent of the participants and 49 per cent of the nonparticipants own refrigerators also.

23 123 Table 4.24: Asset Holding Pattern Name of the Participants Nonparticipants Asset Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Jal. Hsp. Bti. Pun. Table Chairs Almirah Livestock Bicycle Scooter/ Motorcycle Fan Pressure Cooker Television Refrigerator 87 (97) 87 (97) 46 (51) 29 (32) 70 (78) 29 (32) 83 (92) 71 (79) 56 (62) 67 (91) 66 (89) 38 (51) 37 (50) 62 (84) 20 (27) 73 (99) 62 (84) 65 (88) 36 (49) 22 (85) 21 (81) 14 (54) 19 (73) 20 (77) 11 (42) 25 (96) 15 (58) 20 (77) 13 (50) 176 (93) 174 (92) 98 (52) 85 (45) 152 (80) 60 (32) 188 (99) 160 (84) 156 (82) 105 (55) 79 (88) 77 (86) 40 (44) 19 (21) 65 (72) 24 (27) 78 (87) 72 (80) 47 (52) 56 (76) 59 (80) 24 (32) 24 (32) 58 (78) 24 (32) 72 (97) 59 (80) 61 (82) 34 (46) 18 (69) 17 (65) 12 (46) 18 (69) 16 (62) 07 (27) 18 (69) 18 (69) 12 (46) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants and nonparticipants. 153 (81) 153 (81) 76 (40) 61 (32) 139 (73) 55 (29) 188 (99) 155 (82) 151 (79) 93 (49) SectionIII This section explains the general characteristics of SHGs surveyed in this study. These characteristics include size of group, maturity of group, amount of savings, number and amount of bank loans received, criteria of dividing bank loans, amount of loans received by an individual member etc Status of SHGs Table 4.25 shows the status of SHGs surveyed in this study. For the purpose of the study, 64 SHGs are surveyed. Out of these, 30 SHGs are selected from different villages of Jalandhar district, 25 from Hoshiarpur district and 9 from Bathinda district.

24 124 Three SHG members were interviewed from each of the selected SHGs. In this way, total group participants are surveyed. It is found that the range of group membership varies from 9 to 20 members but on average there are 13 members per SHG. In order to study the impact of microfinance programme over different group durations, both the young and mature groups are surveyed. The age of groups surveyed varies from 2 to 8 years at the time of the survey. Table 4.25: General Characteristics of SHGs in the Study Area Particulars Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab No. of Groups Surveyed No. of Participants Surveyed 74 Size of SHGs Average Number of Members in a Group Range of Group Age (in Years) Group Saving Fund Amount of Periodic Savings Under the microfinance programme group members are required to save regularly at fixed intervals, generally, every month. The amount of savings is fixed with the collective decision of all the group members. The study brings out that the members save between Rs. 20 to Rs. 300 per month. But majority of the members (70 per cent) save Rs. 100 per month Amount of Group Savings As the group matures the group savings fund also increases. Table 4. shows the average amount of total savings per group. On an average, the total group savings are Rs. 54,301; 34,3 and Rs. 30,206 in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda district respectively. The average amount of total savings is Rs. 43,129 per group. From the field survey it is found that 84 SHGs, on attaining the group age of approximately 5 years, have divided their preexisting savings fund among the group members and have started saving afresh with the collective decision of the group members. Perusal of table shows

25 125 that the average amount of divided savings of 84 groups is Rs. 40,636 per group. This amount is Rs. 52,0; 39,134 and 5,562 per group for Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda district respectively. Table 4.: Average Amount of Savings per Group Saving Status Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab Average Amount of Savings per Group 54,301 34,3 30,206 43,129 No. of Groups that have Divided their Savings Average Amount of Divided Savings Average Age of the Groups which Divided their Savings ,0 39,134 5,562 40, Group Loans Number and Amount of Group Loans Generally, after six months of the formation of the SHG, the group gets the bank loan of three to four times of the amount saved. The bank loan is divided among the group members and is repaid in small instalments. The group becomes eligible for a second loan only when the first loan is fully repaid. Table 4.27 presents the average number and amount of loans received by the SHGs. The table shows that on an average the SHGs received 1.63 number of group loans. This value is 1.42 in Jalandhar district, 1.86 in Hoshiarpur and 1.65 in Bathinda district. The average value of group loans received is Rs. 1,07,163 per group, which is the highest in Jalandhar district (1,15,556) followed by Hoshiarpur (1,09,192) and Bathinda (75,769) districts. Table 4.27: Average Number and Amount of Group Loans Loans Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab Average No. of Loans Average Value of Loans (in Rs.) 1,15,556 1,09,192 75,769 1,07,163

26 Sources of Group Loans Different public and private sector banks are involved in financing the SHGs. Table 4.28 highlights different sources from which the SHGs get loans. It is found that all the groups surveyed in the study get loans from commercial banks and cooperative banks; and there is no share of RRBs in financing these groups. Eightynine per cent of the total SHGs surveyed get loans from commercial banks and the rest 11 per cent from cooperative banks. Table 4.28: Source of Group Loans Type of Bank Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab Commercial Banks (89) (95) (77) (89) Regional Rural Banks Cooperative Banks 10 (11) (05) (23) Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants. 20 (11) Difficulties Faced to Get Loans During the field survey group members were asked about the type of difficulties they faced while getting bank loans. Table 4.29 details the various difficulties faced by the group members. Difficulty in Getting Loans Unnecessary Visits to Banks Large No. of Formalities Lack of Knowledge No Difficulty Table 4.29: Difficulties Faced in Getting Bank Loans Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab 10 (11) 11 (12) 69 (77) (03) 14 (19) 07 (09) 51 (69) 74 () () Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants. 22 (84) 14 (07) 27 (14) 07 () 142 (75)

27 127 Seventyfive per cent of the members responded that their groups did not face any difficulty while getting bank loans. However, fourteen per cent of the members complained that they have to do a lot of paper work while getting the bank loans, and seven per cent of the members said that they have to visit the banks many times either due to the absence of bank officials or because of their incomplete documents. Four per cent of the members reported that the process of getting group loans is not difficult but they faced some problems due to their own lack of knowledge and awareness Criteria of Dividing Group Loans After getting the loans from the banks the group members may start a joint business activity or may divide the loan among themselves to utilise it according to their own priorities. In the present study, no joint business activity is found rather the members subdivide these loans among themselves. Table 4.30 gives the criteria of division of the group loans among the group members. It is found that 75 per cent of the groups divide the loans among the group members according to their individual requirements. In this system, whole of the group loan may be divided among few group members. Twentythree per cent of the groups divide the loan amount equally among all the group members, whereas two per cent of the groups divide these loans on the basis of amount of savings of the members. Table 4.30: Criteria of Dividing Group Loans among the SHG Members Criteria of Dividing Loans On the Basis of Saving Jalandhar Hoshiarpur Bathinda Punjab (05) Equally (11) (16) (81) According to the Requirement (89) (79) (19) 74 Note: The figures given in parentheses indicate percentages of participants. () 43 (23) 143 (75) 4.24 Individual Loans Amount of Individual Loan The study also highlights the average amount of loans received by the individual participant. It is found that on an average each group member receives Rs. 17,638

28 128 amount of group loan. This value is the highest for participants belonging to Hoshiarpur district (Rs. 21,892) followed by Jalandhar (Rs. 17,229) and Bathinda (Rs. 6,950) districts Loan Utilisation Pattern Group loans are not given strictly for the purpose of investing in productive activities. The members also utilise full or a part of loan for some other priority needs. During the survey group members were also asked about the different purposes for which they utilise the group loans. Table 4.31 shows the loan utilisation pattern of the programme participants. District Productive Consumptive Household Durable Table 4.31: Loan Utilisation Pattern Percentage of Loans Utilised for Different Purposes Repair/ Marriage Education Construction of of of House Daughter Children Relend Repay Previous Loan Jal Hsp Bti Pun A perusal of the table reveals that 42.8 per cent of the total group loans, in the sample surveyed, are utilised for productive purposes. The percentage is highest in Bathinda district (67.5) followed by Hoshiarpur (48.86) and Jalandhar (30.82) districts per cent of the loans are utilised by the members for consumption related needs; 6.33 per cent for buying household assets; and per cent for repair/construction and renovation purposes. Similarly, 7.64, 1.38 and 2.46 per cent of the loan amount is utilised for performing marriage ceremonies, education of the children, and repaying the previous loans received respectively Concluding Observations The chapter provides basic understanding of the study area, socioeconomic profile of the respondents and the general characteristics of the SHGs surveyed for this study. Sample households are selected from the regions with different geographical features. The socioeconomic profile of the respondents shows that most of the