Micro-finance is a common term in social dictionary these days, which has become a synonym with social revolution in rural communities. Some economist and neo-socialist term it as a tool for social development and economic uplift for the poor.In fact there are many inspiring stories which spoke a lot about a change in the lives of rural folks through this scheme. People get a small amount as a loan on nominal interest to start some work or find some way for self employment. Many times we also get confused as we think that everyone of the beneficiaries is a social entrepreneur. But that is not the case. Not everyone is reaping the benefits.
A newspaper reports that the rural areas have suddenly been flooded with institutions which have come come forward to lend money. This sounds really miraculous and it seems it would wipe out poverty from the world,as institutions are providing small loan to people to start business on their own. But that is not the case,many of the organizations and institutions are trying to make money by keeping the interest rates very high, which is really against the intention with which the scheme was started. Lending loan on high interest rate somewhere between 100% and 125% would might bring the colonial practice. The purpose of micro finance is to help the poor with small loan so that they could use their resources and skill for self employment and economic prosperity. We can not consider micro-finance the only means to eliminate poverty ,it is one of the many measures.
Now is the need to keep a close vigil on the institutions which are providing loan to the poor. A transparent approach is needed to inspect the institutions which are in this trade. It is really a shame that each time a institution is created for welfare measures but becomes a corrupt means for some people or business houses. We have to come forward so that unhealthy practices could be eliminated.
Put your measures and suggestions to save this golden practice of micro-credit.
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