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In West Bengal, there are two models of self-help groups (SHGs), which are supported by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non-NGOs respectively. Each of these models are further classified into three linkage approaches. In the SHG-- Bank linkage models I and II, the NGOs work as promoters and as intermediaries respectively and in model III, the NGOs work as micro financial institutions. In the three SHG-Non-NGO approaches, the SHGs are respectively enrolled as members of primary agricultural co-operative credit societies (PACS) for saving and credit linkage; organised under state sponsored programmes and linked with banks for credit linkage; promoted by banks which provide credit to SHGs. This paper attempts to study the working of SHGs financed by a SHG-NGO (model III), the Tajmahal Gram Bikash Kendra (TGBK), a nodal agency of Rastriya Mahila Kosh in Howrah district of the state, which provides micro-credit to women of poor families engaged in zari (gold embriodery) industry, mobilises savings and promotes self-employment and micro-economic activities. The study is based on data collected from 96 households belonging to 10 SHGs from two villages of Howrah district through a survey carried out by State Institute of Panchayats and Rural Development (SIPRD), Kalyani, West Bengal, in July 1999. For comparative study, blockwise data of SHG-- PACS credit linkage model financed by Hooghly Central Co-operative bank (CCB) obtained from the annual...