Annual Report-May, 2017-May, 2018
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Annual Report Financial Consumer Protection ‘Enhancing Financial Protection of Consumers in Particular Women Through Financial Literacy Initiatives’ http://www.cuts-international.org/CART/FCP/index.htm (Proposal No. 1054, Sanction Letter No. O-11011/06/2016-CWF) Annual Reporting Period May 19, 2017-May 18, 2018 Supported under Consumer Welfare Fund Department of Consumers Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India Submitted by: Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302 016 Phone: 0141-5133259, 2282821 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Website: http://www.cuts-international.org/cart 1. Background In various studies and intervention, it is found that poor and vulnerable community specially women in rural areas are unable to come out of poverty due to poor saving and investment habits as well as lack of financial inclusion. Women are more vulnerable compared to their male counterparts mainly because they do not have means and control over finances, although women have important contribution in livelihood activities. But since the decision making is with the male members, who have access to other financial services, spending and investment priorities are seldom in favour of women. Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) with the support of Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Govt. of India is implementing a project titled ‘Enhancing Financial Protection of Consumers in Particular Women through Financial Literacy Initiatives’ with following goal and objectives. 2. Goals and Objectives The project is being implemented in two districts of Rajasthan: Chittorgarh and Bhilwara. There are 12 blocks in Bhilwara and 11 in Chittorgarh respectively. While Chittorgarh has 290 gram panchayats in 11 panchayat samitis, Bhilwara has 383 gram panchayats in 12 panchayat samitis. Thus in all, 23 panchayat samitis (blocks) of two districts are being targeted to cover maximum gram panchayats. The key goals and objectives of the intervention are: Build the capacities of the rural consumers specially women in terms of financial literacy there-by enhancing their financial inclusion and other financial related involvements Enhance awareness, knowledge and skills among the target community on the financial decisions about savings, investments, borrowings, income and expenditure Overcome vulnerability and ensure the economic security of rural consumers by linking them with financial services and with the government/non-government development schemes. 3. Key Activities of the Project Financial Consumer Protection Project is being implementing in all 12 blocks in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan State. Following are the key deliverables during the project period: Baseline Survey Identifying Consumer Groups focusing Women 2 Production of IEC Materials District Level Launch First Round Training Identification of Community Based Facilitators (CBFs) Periodic Meetings for Consumer Groups Annual and Final Stakeholder’s Consultation and Dissemination Meeting at each District Head Quarter Second Round Training Final Stakeholder’s Consultation Project Dissemination and Advocacy Meeting Final Reports and Accounts 4. Activities Accomplished During the Year 4.1 Training of Enumerators One-day training of surveyors was conducted at the CUTS Center for Human Development (CHD) Chittorgarh on June 06, 2017. Total 11 participants were attended in the training cum orientation including CUTS staff members. Deepak Saxena, Assistant Director; Amar Deep Singh, Sr. Project Coordinator; Aakansha Choudhary, Project Associate from CUTS CART. Gauhar Mahmood Center Coordinator, Madan Giri Goswami Assistant Center Coordinator, Gaytri Moud, and Gourav Chaturvedi both Project Officers from CUTS CHD were participated and Arvind Purohit, Financial Literacy Coordinator Baroda Rajasthan Regional Rural Bank branch Pratapnagar was key resource person. Arvind Purohit, Baroda Rajasthan Regional Rural Bank branch Pratapnagar FLC Coordinator was the subject expert in the meeting. More details: http://www.cuts- international.org/CART/pdf/Event_Report_Surveyors_Orientation_Meeting.pdf . 4.2 Baseline Survey in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh Baseline survey was conducted in all the 23 blocks of two districts by the trained surveyors. Quantitative research technique was used to collect responses, which consisted of structured schedule with closed-ended as well as open-ended questions. The aim was to cover maximum area of each district. Taking 575 samples from each district enabled to cover maximum blocks of both covering maximum gram panchayats. Hence, the total sample size taken was 1150 covering two districts. There are in all 23 blocks in two districts: 12 in Bhilwara and 11 in Chittorgarh. Samples were collected from all 23 blocks. The quantitative survey focused on assessing the actual ground realities in the targeted areas. Link: http://www.cuts- international.org/CART/FCP/pdf/Report_on_Enhancing_Financial_Protection_of_Consu mers_in_Particular_Women_through_Financial_Literacy_Initiatives.pdf 4.3 District Level Launch Meeting of Chittorgarh on August 17, 2017 To formally start the project, an inception meeting was organised at Hotel Padmini, Chittorgarh on August 17, 2017. It was attended by more than 120 participants from all the blocks of Chittorgarh and selected block of Bhilwara district. Female participation was more since project is more focused on women financial inclusion. As special guest Suresh Dhakad, MLA; Suresh Sharma, Chairperson of Chittorgarh Municipal Council; Narayan Singh Charan, Additional Collector-Chittorgarh; Sanjay Jhala, Deputy Director, Department of Consumer Affairs, Govt. of Rajasthan were present in inaugural session and deliver speeches. Gauhar Mahmood, CUTS welcomed the guest and George Cheriyan, Director CUTS made opening remarks. Amar Deep Singh presented project overview through a power point presentation and in the technical session, he presented key findings of baseline survey conducted under the project. Technical presentations were made by MP Kothari, Anil Jain, Sachin Badetia, Suresh Bhardwaj on various aspect of financial inclusion and schemes for common public. Deepak Saxena, CUTS moderated this session and. There was good media coverage of the event. Details at: http://www.cuts-international.org/CART/FCP/pdf/Project_Inception_Meeting- Chittorgarh.pdf 4.4 Project Inception Meeting in Bhilwara on September 6, 2017 A Project Inception Meeting was held at Kisaan Bhawan, Bhilwara Rajasthan on September 06, 2017. There were about 46 people including 25 women. The meeting was organised to officially kick start the project in Bhilwara though the work has already been in progress since May 2017. This being the second one after the main launch at Chittorgarh on August 17, 2017. More details can be seen at: http://www.cuts-international.org/CART/FCP/pdf/Project_Inception_Meeting- Bhilwara.pdf 4.5 Networking and Identification of Consumer Groups Focusing Women Prior to start of field activities, networking with financial consumer stakeholders was consolidated by making personal visits to district and block level officers, Panchayat members, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, Gram Sathin, Self Help Groups members, networkers and consumer activists. Contact was also done with District Collector Bhilwara; Additional District Magistrate; CEO Municipal Corporation; District Development Manager, NABARD; Deputy Director, Department of Women and Child Development; Lead District Manager, Bank of Baroda and District Minority Welfare Officer. Simultaneously, the work of local level groups focusing women was also done, who were later involved in cluster level meetings. 4.6Cluster Level Trainings The purpose of the trainings was to build the capacities of the rural consumers, especially women in terms of financial literacy there-by enhancing their financial inclusion and other financial related involvements, Enhance awareness, knowledge and skills among the target community on the financial decisions about savings, investments, borrowings, income and expenditure. In addition, help them overcome their vulnerability and ensure their economic security by linking them with financial services and with the government/non-government development schemes In all 46 cluster meetings were organized during the year in two districts in two phases (23 each in each phase). 5 In all the programmes, officials like Block Development Officers of Blocks; branch managers of various banks, officials from local National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) office; officials from Financial Literacy Centres of Bank of Baroda and few other banks have been the key resource persons. Besides, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institution and local Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have also been participating in these programmes in the capacity of guests. 6 Following issues, topics and subjects were covered: Provided awareness, knowledge on saving, investments, loan, home budget planning Capacity building to rural consumers by enhancing their financial inclusion and financial involvement Process to open bank accounts and need of KYC Prime Minister Micro Insurance, Pension and Security schemes, Mudra scheme Credit Linkages for livelihood Grievance Redress Digital transaction and precaution while using Economic security by linking them with bank/post office/financial institution. All these 46 cluster meetings (21 as reported in September-November,