In this paper, an attempt is made to evolve an alternate methodology for estimation of value added by the Unorganized Financial Sector (confined to money lenders), based on partial data available from the results of the All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS), 2002–03. There is certainly a need to conduct a full fledged enquiry on the subject to elicit the details of operations of these entities. It is felt that most of the NSSO surveys even with regard to services, do not meet the requirements of the exercise under reference. However with redesigning of the AIDIS survey schedules and further tabulations indicated, the estimates could be improved upon. These aspects are discussed in the paper.
