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large number of them overlap the results of the earlier studies summarised in
Bhaskaran’s (2012) publication. The only observation we wish to make on the
NABARD-Samantara 2010 study is that the presentation of the results would
have been richer if only it had contained a literature review and an indication
that the field study was undertaken against the backdrop of known knowledge
of the successes and problems associated with the KCC scheme. It is unlikely
that such prior knowledge would have adversely influenced the conduct of the
study. In any case, such knowledge would have enriched the study’s attempt at
drawing lessons for improving the scheme.
A Critical Evaluation of the KCC Scheme
The KCC scheme, amongst many loan schemes of banks, has received
the maximum attention amongst individual scholars as well as apex and
academic institutions to review its overall progress and to study its operational
effectiveness and impact on the flow of ground-level credit. In crystallising the
varied results of these multiple studies into a coherent theme of assessment
and evaluation, R Bhaskaran (2012) has rendered a yeomen service in this
respect by summarising all studies of NABARD, NCAER, BIRD as well as those
of 33 individual scholars and presenting them in a comprehensive publication
titled
Kisan Credit Card: Evolution and Prospects
(Macmillan Publishers India
Ltd 2012).
Specifically relevant for the present study is the “Overview of the Research
Studies” which Bhaskaran (2012) has provided. Briefly, they are as follows:
(a)
KCC and Landholdings:
Most studies have found a positive relationship with landholding size.
The access and distribution of rural credit is skewed in favour of better
endowed regions and within the same regions tilted towards better off
households.
(b) KCC and Bank Credit:
KCC by and large, has acceptability among the bankers and the borrower
and has been found efficient in extending short term production credit
requirement.
Due to the doubling efforts there has been a huge spurt in the average
amount sanctioned and disbursed per KCC.
Even as there were no efforts to market KCC or expand its coverage it
is seen that small farmers were not purposely avoided. Studies have
hinted on the possibility of a few households having multiple KCC.
