Web Based Microfinance Model Touching the Lives of Indian Laborers
Description: The Indian government is trying to regulate the functioning of microfinance institution by passing the Micro Financial Sector Development and Regulation Bill, 2011. But many microfinance companies have already used the latest communication techniques to provide financial assistance to the poor and underprivileged in a transparent manner.
The original microfinance model was devised by Professor Muhammad Yunus with an intention to provide small loans to the poor and underprivileged people without any collateral security. The distinct financial model uses a group-based credit approach to develop god credit standing of the borrowers through strict financial discipline and easy repayments. But some of the microfinance companies in Andhra Pradesh, India created a negative impact on the mind of poor and underprivileged borrowers by acting as loan-sharks. According to the reports published in various newspapers, the debt recovery measures used by the microfinance companies led to the suicide of 200 debt-ridden residents of Andhra Pradesh.
The state is still considered as the microfinance hub of the country, but the recent incidents have made the poor skeptical about borrowing money from these companies. The Indian government has drafted the Micro Financial Sector Development and Regulation Bill, 2011 to make the companies offer financial assistance to the poor at a lower rate of interest. But a number of organizations have already switched to an advanced web-based lending model to make the process of extending and recovering the loan more transparent and organized.
Identifying the Needs of the Poor and Underprivileged People:
Some of the livelihood financing organizations like Milaap extends financial support to the poor for increasing their existing income, as well as to live in a healthier and cleaner environment. The organization implements an internet based methodology to identify the basis needs of the individuals and communities. It also raises the required capital to extend loans to the borrowers. The borrowers are further provided with adequate training and support to utilize the loan amount in the most efficient way and earn higher income.
Once the borrowers start repaying the loan amount, the amount is credited to lenders through the MIlaap credits. A lender also has options to recycle the recovered loan amount and extend support to more underprivileged people. The online lending model has been effective in increasing the monthly income of the families of laborers along with contributing towards their education, training, healthcare and sanitation.
For instance, Dhanam Selvaraj is a 46-year old woman from Idayapatti in Tamil Nadu, who works as a laborer along with her husband. The family manages to save about Rs 2,000 from their monthly income. As the family has to depend exclusively on the local public water supply, they have to manage with insufficient water. A lender can provide the family with a small loan amount of Rs 5,000 for piped water connection at home. The family can repay the loan amount within a few months. The loan amount may look meager and small, but the money can make a huge difference to the living conditions of the Indian family.
3 Steps Online Lending Approach:
A person interested in supporting the Indian poor can simply follow some simple steps to give a loan and receive repayments. You can visit the projects section of the Milaap website to choose a borrower. The website also allows you to customize your search by focusing on some key areas. The profiles of individual borrowers also clearly explain their needs along with their age, location, family background and source of income. The lender also has options to choose the amount he wants to invest. You can finance the needs of a borrower in full or contribute the desired amount towards a higher loan amount.
After deciding the key elements, you can join Milaap by completing the online registration form, and transfer the amount you want to invest. Once the borrower starts repaying the loan amount, the same will be deposited as part of your credits. You can simply withdraw the funds or recycle it to contribute towards the progress of Indian society. The online portal also makes it simpler for the lenders to choose a borrower, extend your financial support, and receive the installments. The simple and technology driven online lending model also adds more transparency to the business model of the microfinance companies.
Gurudutta Mohanty has a distinct flair for writing with particular interest in penning research-based articles. He is adept at writing articles for the web, and has attained mastery over a number of subjects in both technical and non-technical fields. He has written many research based articles highlighting various aspects of Microfinance India.
For more information about the Milaap please visit www.milaap.org