Microfinance, Inclusive Growth and Rural Development

The book is intended to examine different parameter of human development in India taking into consideration of economic growth of India in recent past and to what extent economic growth remained inclusive for disadvantage and vulnerable groups in India. There is very little disagreement that the Indian macroeconomic performance has indeed been credible – higher and resilient growth, rising per capita income, a change in the national psyche, which is buttressed by the growing strength in the external sector. At the same time, there is no denying the fact that the large part of our population is still not connected to the mainstream socially or economically.

Chapter I of the book tries to interpret the concept inclusive growth taking into consideration of inclusive growth. Inclusive growth implies delivering social justice to all, particularly disadvantaged groups. Chapter II makes attempts to study different initiatives taken by the government to achieve inclusive growth. Chapter III of the book attempts to understand the nature of transition from a socialist to a liberalized economy that has helped India emerge from a bottomless pit for aid to become a potential economic superpower. Chapter IV seeks to explore the missing ingredients of the economic growth. Strong economic growth is succeeding in bringing people out of poverty; nevertheless the country still has a long way to go before it can eradicate poverty. The growth is far from inclusive. Chapter V deals with issues and challenges of micro credit in India. Chapter VI of the book makes an attempt to understand present economic scenario of India and to focus on different dimensions of financial inclusion towards reducing yawning gap between haves and have-nots in crafting a sustainable and inclusive growth. Chapter VII explore the potentialities of the PRIs (the third tier of democratic governance after the constitutionalisation of the PRIs by the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Acts, 1993) to became an effective micro finance institution at the door steps of the rural poor. Chapter VIII tries to explore issues and strategies of financial inclusion in India. The last concluding chapter provides conclusions and suggestions for the acceleration of reform process towards achieving higher and inclusive economic growth.