Programmes of Self Reliance

1. SHG Promotion

 With its eye on the development of the rural poor and the deprived and disadvantaged people – the organization had been paying special heed on empowering the vulnerable women who are too resource poor and are unable to up rise due to abject poverty and other contributory aspects interwoven to each other

More particularly, organization has concentrated on the economic upliftment of most vulnerable women who are from backward communities and/(or) associated with the organization in one of its beneficiary oriented develop ment projects. Organization got initial source of inspiration towards formation as well as strengthening of Women SHGs from Rashtriya Gramin Vikash Nidhi (RGVN) that gave original support the then. RGVN has over the years guided this organization in most beneficial manner to undertake promotional activities among the resource poor women thro’ Self Help Groups.

With its concerted efforts the organization has been able to form 557 Nos. of Women SHGs till 31.3.2011 (including 449 till previous year) in 78 villages with 6613 members in 2 blocks named Karghar and Sasaram. Over and above the process of ensuring their involvement in community level development works – organization had also ensured linkage of women SHGs under SGSY Scheme to avail financial benefits and develop self reliance.

Under SGSY organization had concentrated SHG formation & transaction of economic activities in Karghar Block of Rohtas district. Intervention was undertaken in 11 new Panchayatas supported by activities related to follow up & link to convergence agencies in previously developed SHG developed in Karaghar, Basdiha, Thodsan, Kalyanpur, Senduar, Samardiha, Kharari during last year also continued. This year rigorous attempt was made in 34 villages. In fact, organization oriented SHGs & could facilitate those to ensure savings to tune of Rs. 1,19,645/- during this year.

Under MNSY (Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Yojana) Scheme the organization had covered 9 villages in Nokha and Bikramgank blocks under Six Panchayatas i.e. Ghosia and Maudiha from Nokha Block and Ghosia Kala, Ghosia Khurd and Mani under Bikramganj Block and Dakhin Badraon in Nokha. By the way 110 SHGs formed ensuring membership of 1434 women that included 521 SCs, Other Backward Classes 629, Minorities 246 and others 38. During this period these women have accumulated Rs.12,335/- savings.
 
2.  Micro Credit (Finance)  

Promotion of micro credit was the need of the hour when organization initiated micro credit support to needy women to attend their needs of income generation activities including petty business. Keeping in view the context of promoting the life and livelihood of the rural poor and needy people – the organization has promoted Micro Finance and Micro Insurance in its operational area with focus on its beneficiaries associated with it in different development programmes.

Credit support of SURAJE was promoted current year by Micro Finance activities augmented through the support of Indian Bank and other support agencies including like RGVN Patna and Indian Gramin Services, Hyderabad. Through this fund organization could ensure economic upliftment of resource poor women.

During this year SURAJE extended Micro Finance support in different parts of Karghar & Sasaram Blocks covering 34 villages in 11 GPs. With a thorough process of survey and interaction with rural urban people and needy businessmen etc. organization could mark out Joint Liability Groups in rural & urban areas. With a thorough process of managing the Join Liability Groups at urban and rural level – SURAJE has created enabling environ ment for promotion of economic self reliance thro’ ensuring micro credit in SHGs.

During this year, the organization took up SHGs formation of in Sasaram and Karghar Blocks of Rohtas district. The process of forming and facilitating Women SHGs had been accelerated during this year in most augmented manner. The organization provided loan and facilitated their business by providing market information & credit linkage support through SGSY and Banks etc. as well. In fact, that has not only promoted economic uplift but also developed self reliance and confidence among the resource poor families at rural and urban areas but also helped them to join the mainstream of society in a very meaningful manner.

3.  Social Security
 With specific focus on the rural poor – the organization has marked up its activities for ensuring security of those resource poor families through providing Insurance coverage to their life. In consultation with LIC of India, organization had covered 516 families under Janashree Beema Yojana that included 387 male and 129 female. Since last year SURAJE was in touch with LIC to ensure benefit through Jeeban Madhur scheme and has been successful to ensure security to 260 families under this scheme. Organization has also facilitated LIC claims of 3 persons and could succeed to settle those. This year – the organization had organized an interface among the public & LIC personnel to enable people have knowledge about LIC Schemes. 
  
3.  Livelihood Promotion
The organization has made specific efforts for promotion of Livelihood of people in different parts of its operational area with special emphasis on the nature of need and the standing factors that can contribute towards livelihood development. During the year under reference – SURAJE had concentrated on following aspects:

 i. Agro Promotion
The organization had arranged training on Organic Farming in the campus of its Office at Dehry which was attended by a group of 20 person from different areas of Sasaram Block. Mr. Sadashiv Ram & Prabir Pramanik were the resource persons who trained the farmers on following aspect:  

a. Organic Farming and Food Security
b. Organic Farming & System of Wheat Intensification. Crop Diversification and Market Promotion
 
ii. Livelihood Related Business/Market Promotion
The organization had deputed 2 lead farmers of Sasaram to attend Training at Bhubaneswar, Odisha for 4 days w.e.f. 21 to 23 Feb 2011. that was attended by more than 20 participants from different States of India. This was arranged by MART on subjects – (1) Livelihood Related Market Promotion (2) Market Targeting and Value Addition

iii. Market Survey on Trade and Business Prospect with reference to Consumers Choice
A market Survey was undertaken by SURAJE in 10 villages of 5 Panchayatas named Dhaudadh, Amari, Mahadiganj, Dhankarha and Jamuhar. The survey periphery also covered two Weekly Haats of two localities named Kanchapur and Amratalab. A thorough survey was conducted in villages named Durgapur, Amari, Mahadiganj, Tarachandi, Koda, Chimanpur, Kanchanpur, Jamuha, Dhankarha and Badhaiyabagh which was quite participatory through involvement of villagers. The Survey was conducted to have idea about the consumer behaviour, market demand for produces, sellers’ perceptions and the attitude of producers etc.