2. Expansion to select states
APMAS plans to collaborate with
NABARD in its expansion plans. To bring a regional balance into the SHG-bank
linkage programme, NABARD has identified 13 priority states. These include
Assam , Bihar , Chattisgarh, Gujarat , Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra
, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and West Bengal
. In some of these states, APMAS has engaged in research studies, rating of SHG
federations and the promotion of APMAS-type support organizations.
APMAS team will undertake a systematic approach of
collaborating with potential strategic partner(s) in the states. Based on the
results, the strategy of self-help promotion will be adjusted to the cultural
and economic environment in each state or area. Over a period of 6-12 months
the partnership will be formalized and support services will be provided as per
the strategy.
3. Facilitation of self-organized supervision of SHG federations
To facilitate self-organized
supervision of SHG federations, APMAS will collaborate with NABARD, SERP and
NGOs to undertake a feasibility study, with technical assistance from DGRV,
Germany . The outcome of such a study would provide the framework for
establishing a system of self-supervision for MACS and similar autonomous
cooperative organizations, which do not fall under the Cooperative Law of 1964
and are therefore not supervised by the Registrar of Cooperatives.
APMAS will facilitate a process of
recognition of ground rules for effective self-supervision, including the
enforcement of performance standards, by all stakeholders. The ground rules
must be recognized by all SHGs, federations and supporting governmental and
non- governmental SHPIs.
APMAS will build the capacity of
SHPIs as facilitators of registration of all the federations under the MACS or
a similar Act, as a prerequisite for access to incentives such as continued
capacity building support, technical assistance to improve internal resource
mobilization, access to bank credit and other support services.