Artisans constitute a heterogeneous group consisting of handcrafts, handlooms, pottery, pattachitra etc. Presently there is a blend of traditional touch with modern outlook in the works of these artisans. On account of this the products of artisans sector is in great demand both in national and international markets. Of all the problems confronted by the artisans financial problem is the most crucial one. In order to solve this problem a number of financial institutions providing short term loan and long term loan have come into existence in recent years, such as: Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, SFCs and IDBI etc. The present volume not only deals indepthly the working of these institutions but seeks to analyse the impact of institutional credit on generation of output income employment and asset formation by the artisans belonging to different trades. The impact of institutional finance is marginal no doubt but it has provided the basic foundation for the growth of artisan sector at the national and sub-national level.

The work is a scholarly one, comprising both secondary and empirical data and materials. The policy prescriptions are based on field level observations 'if implemented in right earnest' will give a boost to artisan sector in the country. The book will be of immense help to academicians, researchers, planners, administrators, policy makers, entrepreneurs and general public who are interested about the artisans and their units.

Rural development has been on the main agenda of the Five-Year Plans of the country. These plans are formulated for the most effective and planned utilisation of the country's resources. Beginning with First Five-Year Plan, we are getting ready to launch the Eight Five-year Plan shortly. During this period considerable efforts had been made for rural development. A number of schemes were launched and large chunks of money spent for it. Still, the rural India that accounts for three-fourth of the country's population, has a much lower level of income and per capita consumption. Access to education, health, transport and other essential services still lags behind in the rural areas. It is also alarming to learn that rural urban disparities have been widening in the recent past. This book present is vivid and penetrating analysis of rural development programmes in ending rural poverty and unemployment.

It is widely accepted that the availability of credit is the most important determinant in the process of rural development. In this connection this book evaluates the regional and social issues in rural credit in India. This book imposed a serious constrain in editing the paper of the learned contributors. However, painstaking efforts were made to include and highlight the main issues and suggestions of the authors. The articles included in this book cover basic issues pertaining to rural credit in relation to rural development. The editor endeavour to cover, every state of the country regarding the rural credit.

This outstanding book edited for those involved in rural development work whether they be researchers, extension workers, policy makers, planners or financiers. The papers have might also be useful to competitive point of view and students of Economics, Agricultural Economics. Commerce and Management. This Volume would provide guideline for Commercial Bank, Rural Bank and Cooperative Bank, for financing credit to rural sector.

Rural Development in India discusses socioeconomic background of the rural India and Orrisa, the plan approach for rural development in India, twenty five important rural development programmes implemented in India, their objectives and achievements, the structure, the structure, organisation and functions of Rural Institutions responsible for the planning, implementation and monitoring of rural development programmes in the rural areas, the problems encountered and suggestions to overcome the same.

Students, researchers and policy planners in the field will find this a dependable reference tool.