Microfiance is a useful tool for reducing poverty and building the capacity of the poor in management of sustainable self-employment, by way of providing financial services like credit, saving, housing consumption credit, insurance cover, etc. This book takes a holistic view of the various aspects of the microfinance programmes as adopted under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) in India, with special reference to the state of West Bengal. Critically examining how SGSY operates in relation to funding the programme, bank linkage system, training and capacity building of beneficiaries, thrift, credit and governance systems of SHGs, marketing of SHG Products, role of bankers and NGOs, and the perceptions of the beneficiaries. It also analyses the impact of the SGSY programmes on the socio-economic empowerment of SHG members.