Author Archives: admin

Impact of a Grace Period in Microfinance Loan Contracts

IFMR LEAD

This policy note presents insights from a study that examines the impact of introducing flexibility into microfinance repayment schedules, specifically through adding a two-month grace period.

Microfinance and Social Capital

This brief presents preliminary insights from a study in peri-urban of Kolkata on the role of social capital in group lending models.

Equity Investment in Indian Microfinance: A Guide for Practitioners

Doug Johnson, Michael Chasnow

In this paper, the authors document the recent rise in equity investment in Indian microfinance and describe the process of obtaining equity financing and working with investors in detail. The authors also briefly describe two new alternative methods of financing … Read More

India Pollution Map – A Backgrounder for Users

Rajesh Rangarajan

The Pollution Map developed at the Centre for Development Finance (CDF) endeavours to support more meaningful tracking of environmental change by creating a repository of pollution monitoring data to capture and disseminate information to civil society in asystematic and user-friendly … Read More

The REDD Path to Forest Conservation

Snehashis Sarkar

Forest conservation through REDD projects can achieve a measure of success by giving ownership rights and economic incentives to indigenous communities. This brief examines the policy and implementation framework for such an approach, provides recommendations for the way forward.

Empowering Villages: A Comparative Analysis of Desi Power and Husk Power Systems

Santosh Singh

With nearly 70% of India’s population living in rural areas, many households still do not have access to affordable and reliable sources of electricity. This lack of access hampers households income generation capacity as well as their ability to use … Read More

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan – Scheme Brief

Satyarupa Shekhar

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a comprehensive plan to provide free education to all children in the age group 6-14 years. It was launched in 2001 with an initial outlay of Rs.7000 crore. This brief presents the salient features of … Read More

Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY): Scheme Brief

Satyarupa Shekhar

Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) is an employment generation programme that provides income-generating assets through a mix of bank credit and government subsidy. In 1999, SGSY replaced Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), the government’s flagship programme on rural development, integrated … Read More

Sampoorna Grameen Rojgar Yojana (SGRY): Scheme Brief

Satyarupa Shekhar

Sampoorna Grameen Rojgar Yojana (SGRY) provided wage employment and food security, by undertaking labour-intensive work in rural areas and contributes to the creation of durable community assets. Wages were paid as a combination of foodgrains and cash. In 2008, the … Read More

NRHM Scheme Brief

Satyarupa Shekhar

The National Rural Health Mission, launched in 2005, is the largest primary healthcare programme run in the world and reflects the Government of India’s commitment to increase public spending on health to 2-3 percent of GDP. It aims provide effective … Read More