Answer:

A co-operative society is a voluntary association of persons started with the objective of serving its members. It is primarily designed for promotion of economic interest of its members. It is a self-governing institution.

On the other hand, SHG denotes an association of small group of self-employed people for welfare of its members. It is also a voluntary association wherein groups come together for redressed of common problems. It facilitates a co-operative, participative and empowerment culture. Though both have similarities, certain differences still exist:

♤ A Self Help Group is an informal structure unlike a co-operative society, which is a more formal and registered organisation.

♤ Self Help Groups are easy to organise while co-operative societies need a more organised structure.

♤ Self Help Group consists of 10-20 members while co-operative society has unrestricted number of members.

♤ Members of Self Help Group come together for redressed of common and individual problems. In co-operative societies, individual problems remain unaddressed.

♤ Self Help Group has unlimited roles like micro-credit, income generation, community development, special uplifting etc. Role of co-operative societies is restricted to economic activity especially marketing.

♤ Self Help Group has autonomous decision-making while autonomy is restricted in co-operative societies.