Microfinance for poverty reduction: the Kalanjiam way
Vasimalai, M.P.; Narender, K.
Economic and Political Weekly 42(13): 1190-1200
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-9976 Document Number: 233587
The Kalanjiam Community Banking Programme in India is a unique credit programme that goes beyond the narrow "financial delivery" approach. As this article explains, initiatives under this programme are flexible and tailored to the needs of the poor; the attempt is also to address existing "leakages" in the earlier system of moneylending so as to improve the borrowing capability of the poor. Working through self-help groups, the kalanjiam way also seeks to instil democracy by encouraging a grassroots leadership to emerge and ensuring the community ownership of public works.