Detailed Summary
This section covers critical aspects of money and credit, emphasizing their roles in daily life and economic functioning. Money serves as a medium of exchange, solving the issue of double coincidence of wants that arises in barter systems. It can be in the form of currency or demand deposits held in banks, aiding in efficient transactions.
The text explains the banking system's functions in facilitating loans and managing deposits. Banks maintain a portion of deposits as cash while lending the rest, thus connecting depositors with borrowers. The essence of credit is presented through contrasting examples of a successful entrepreneur, Salim, who benefits from credit, and Swapna, who falls into a debt trap as a result of poor credit management.
Additionally, various sources of credit are outlined, including formal (banks, cooperatives) and informal sources (moneylenders, traders), highlighting the disparities in interest rates and terms of credit that affect different socioeconomic groups. The importance of expanding formal credit access to the poor is discussed, emphasizing self-help groups (SHGs) as a solution to bridge the credit gap. By pooling resources, SHGs enable members to gain access to loans, fostering financial independence.
In conclusion, credit plays a crucial role in development, but its impact can vary significantly depending on the terms of borrowing and the borrower’s ability to repay.