This article discusses welfare measures in the formal sector being constrained by labour legislation which is, at best, empirically fragile. This very fragility requires us to view labour laws and possible reforms using conceptual frames that are not preoccupied with de jure legislation but rather focus on the actual implementation of the law considering judicial and executive practice. Various factors taken together complemented by empirical work in Gujarat reflect that while labour laws are supposed to be operational in a special economic zones (SEZ), they are almost absent in practice. This study is based on both theoretical and empirical methods. This study suggests systematic non-implementation of labour welfare measures that have a negative implication on workers in each and every way possible. This has led the workers in SEZs to earn their living in an atmosphere of threat, fear and uncertainty.

Labour and Labour Welfare in Special Economic Zones in India with Special Reference to Gujarat

Disadvantaged regions in India suffer from various forms of problems aggravated by constraints of accessibility. This paper aims to conceptualize innovations as solutions to the problem at grassroots.,This paper tries to bridge empirical gaps in conceptualization of innovations at grassroots with the application of both empirical and theoretical methods.,Grassroots innovation is an important instrument to solve such problems in these regions, where appropriate solution is not developed by the government instrument or private agencies (market) in general with various forms of value creation.,This paper tries to bridge empirical gaps in conceptualization of innovations at grassroots.

Understanding of grassroots innovations in India: evidence from the countryside

Indian economy is witnessing an accelerating growth over a period of time. Success of high growth rate is attributable to rise in manufacturing industries, service sector industries and exports. However, for India to perpetually grow with a precedent rate and surpass its competitors like China considerable attention is required towards building large amount of capital, efficient utilisation of resources, increase in factor productivity, creation of more employment and most importantly building human resources(Bosworth, Collins, & Virmani, 2007).No nation can attain full economic and social development unless it recognises, taps and efficiently utilises its human resources. Human capital is a critical resource for the economic success of a nation and women comprises of half of that critical resource(Jackson, 2009).

Relationship between Microfinance, Mudra, Women Entrepreneurship, Socioeconomic Development and Women Empowerment: A Review Based Study

Purpose This study aims to explore economic, social, psychological and political empowerment and dis-empowerment of women caused by microfiance interventions. Women tend to face the brunt of societal discrimination created by economic, social, psychological and political disempowerment. This led to the emergence of the microfinance model for the rural poor and specifically focused on women as an agency for social change. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a systemic literature review to examine microfinance-led women empowerment to reduce the ambiguity in theoretical and empirical underpinning. Findings The study’s findings suggest that even though microfinance as a developmental model is not a runaway success, it did make some positive impact on the status of women. Originality/value This study shows that the microfinance program empowers women and reduces societal inequalities to some extent, but literature also suggests that microfinance as a model has failed to make the requisite socio-economic change, and in some cases, there is adverse impact. 

Augmenting women empowerment: a systematic literature review on microfinance-led developmental interventions

This study explored the obstacles that informal innovators encounter in product development, prototyping, commercialization and adoption of informal innovations in Zimbabwe. Altogether 20 informal ...

Factors that limit the development, prototyping and adoption of informal innovations in Zimbabwe: Lessons for policymakers

This paper is based on the premise of microfinance for financial inclusion mechanism leading to the development of social systems and subsystems in Gujarat. The study also tries to examine microfinance model and implications in the context of various initiatives taken by the government and non-government agencies in Gujarat supported by field evidences. The present study relied on both theoretical and empirical methodologies. Field data comprised 225-sample size, collected through systematic sampling in Gujarat; secondary data has been compiled from relevant print and electronic sources. Findings suggest that microfinance interventions should not be limited to credit deployment; rather, they should focus on group formation, savings, livelihood promotion, enterprise development and marketing of produce. The paper concludes that microfinance plays an important role in socio-economic development.

K. Chandra Shekar

Papers

Understanding of grassroots innovations in India: evidence from the countryside

A Review of Microfinance-Led Development: Evidence from Gujarat