Correct Option
The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme aims to connect informal savings groups with the formal banking system to ensure financial inclusion. Under initiatives like the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), SHGs are nurtured to become self-sustainable financial intermediaries.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The core philosophy of an SHG is thrift and credit. Members are explicitly encouraged to save small amounts regularly to build a group corpus. Internal lending from these pooled savings is a prerequisite before the group approaches banks for larger loans. They do not rely solely on grants.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The government provides financial support to SHGs to enhance their creditworthiness. This includes a Revolving Fund (RF) and Community Investment Fund (CIF). Furthermore, the government provides Interest Subvention to SHGs on loans availed from banks, effectively providing partial financial assistance linked to bank credit.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect. SHGs operate on democratic principles. The group members collectively decide which member receives a loan, the loan amount, and the repayment terms based on need and repayment capacity. The government or the bank does not decide individual beneficiaries; the loan is sanctioned to the group as a collective entity.
Key Takeaway: SHGs are autonomous, savings-led groups where decision-making regarding loan distribution resides with the members, not external agencies. Banks lend to the group as a whole based on its savings history and internal discipline.