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Abstract
The governments of India and other developing countries have made Financial Inclusion a priority – evidenced by policy development, regulatory reform and new funding vehicles. The government of India has set a target of reaching full inclusion by 2015. These objectives will be achieved through financial instruments, such as micro credit, which has achieved positive results, helping thousands of the world’s poor to lift themselves out of poverty. This paper examines the socio-economic impact of financial inclusion on rural people in Goa.
It is now well understood that financial inclusion helps the poor in more viable and profitable way by providing them ability to do business with banks and other financial institutions. The provision of uncomplicated, small, affordable products can help bring low-income families into the formal financial sector. Taking into account their seasonal inflow of income from agricultural operations, migration from one place to another, and seasonal and irregular work availability and income, the existing financial system needs to be designed to suit their requirements. Mainstream financial institutions such as banks have an important role to play in this effort, not as a social obligation, but as a pure business proposition.