K. G. Karmakar. Rural Credit and Self-help Groups—Micro-finance Needs and Concepts in India. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1999. 374 pages. Hardbound. India Rs 465.00.

Inadequacy of capital results in inefficient utilisation of resources in the rural areas. It does not only impact negatively on national economic growth but also proves to be instrumental in keeping the poor trapped in poverty as formalised traditional capital markets remain beyond the reach of the poor. In such cases, then, micro-financing services offer the best solution to the aforementioned problem. It is encouraging to note that micro-financing is being recognised as a powerful tool in alleviating poverty and promoting growth and development at the grassroots level.