Agriculture, which has gradually taken over as the primary occupation, fails to provide even with the bare necessities. Dependence on outside forces has drastically increased over the last few decades. The major problem Usury is common in Orissa as in the rest of the country. Though both are prevalent in Western Orissa, where Sambalpur is situated, Charni Kalantar is more common and widespread. The population is seriously indebted.
Women have to pay in various ways for the fault of their men counterparts.
Further, they do not have a direct standing in the credit market, either formal or informal. The vulnerability of women in this area is exacerbated by several predominant factors, for example massive illiteracy, rigid and conservative customs and traditions, rampant corruption at all levels of formal sources, integrated operation of local political interests, and many more such factors. In most of the villages where MASS is operative, the regular scarce food situation leaves no alternative for the poor communities than to fall prey to the money lenders. In return, the money lenders advance money at a staggering rate. The woes of the women are exacerbated by the drug addiction of the men.