The present study was conducted in Madurai East and North blocks of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu to assess the performance of self-help groups and cooperatives. A total of 120 respondents were drawn from SHGs and cooperatives for this study. Being a comparatives study of SHG and Cooperative, the study would also reveal the assistance to weaker sections as compared to Cooperatives. The SHGs have helped the beneficiaries to increase their income had increased by ' 24176.53, which is nearly eight

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... imes the pre-loan income. Repayment performance in SHGs is better than cooperative beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of SHGs gained additional 154.90 man-days in crop enterprise activity, 273.78 man-days in milk enterprise, and 235 man-days in petty shop business, while cooperative beneficiaries gain 35 additional man-days only in milk enterprise activity. A multiple linear regression fitted to identify factors contributing to the total income of the beneficiaries showed that the number of earning members, membership in SHGs, and ownership of milch animals significantly influenced the total income of the beneficiaries. Policy measures can be initiated for promoting the SHGs credit to help the weaker sections. HIGHLIGHTS m SHGs beneficiaries gained 154.90 additional man-days. m 50 percent of cooperative beneficiaries expect loan waiver. m Income of SHGs and cooperatives beneficiaries influenced by earning members.