Lok Sabha Question No. 1538 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-26
Subject: Schemes for Cooperatives
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1538 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 th  JULY, 2022

## Schemes for Cooperatives

## 1538.  SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

Will the Minister of COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  details  of  schemes  being  run  by  the  Government  across  the  country  to  promote cooperatives;
- (b)  the schemes which are proposed to be run; and
- (c)  whether any scheme is being run to work in the tribal society and the tribal areas in the field of cooperatives particularly in the State of Chhattisgarh and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

- (a) to (c):  In order to revitalize the cooperative sector, bringing transparency, modernization, computerization, creating competitive cooperatives and deepening its reach to the grassroots, the Ministry of Cooperation has been taking various initiatives including inter-alia :
- i. Launched a centrally sponsored project 'Computerization of Primary Agriculture Credit Societies  (PACS)'  with  a  budgetary  outlay  of  Rs  2,516  crores  for  digitalization  of 63,000 functional PACS which are at the bottom of the three-tier rural credit structure. This project will bring transparency and efficiency in their operation. Societies similar to PACS in tribal areas such as Large Area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS) will also be benefited from this project.
- ii. Draft model bye-laws are being prepared in consultation with the State Governments, National Cooperative Federations and all other stakeholders to diversify the activities of PACS and make them vibrant multi-purpose economic entities at village level.
- iii. National  Cooperative  Development  Corporation  (NCDC),  a  statutory  organization under  the  Ministry  of  Cooperation,  provides  financial  assistance  to  the  cooperative sector  and  undertakes  various  activities  such  as  strengthening  share  capital  base  of primary/  District  cooperative  marketing  societies,  setting  up  of  processing  centres, storage  facilities,  establishing  and  modernizing  cold  chain,  creation  of  cooperative banking  units,  agricultural  services,  Integrated  Cooperative  Development  Projects, assistance for computerization of cooperatives, 'Yuva-Sahkar' for cooperative enterprise  support  and  innovation,  'Ayushman  Sahkar'  covering  healthcare  sector, 'Nandini Sahkar' to support women cooperatives etc.
- iv. The Ministry is also taking initiative to formulate Cooperation to Prosperity Scheme with the aim of all round development of cooperatives.
- v. A scheme for modernizing and professionalizing the cooperative education and training institutions across the country is also under formulation.

In addition to the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Cooperation, other Ministries/ Departments are also running several schemes for providing benefits to the cooperatives, such as:

- i. Agriculture Infrastructure fund (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) - Interest subvention of 3 % and credit guarantee is provided by the Government for availing loan up to Rs. 2 crores, for development of infrastructure projects at farm gates, by FPO, PACS, entrepreneurs, start-ups and other beneficiaries.
- ii. Dairy  Processing  and  Infrastructure  Development  Fund  (Department  of  Animal Husbandry  and  Dairying)  -  The  Scheme  envisages  providing  loan  assistance  and interest  subvention  of  2.5  %  to  State  Dairy  Federations,  District  Milk  Unions,  Milk Producers  Companies,  Multi  State  Cooperatives  and  NDDB  subsidiaries  across  the country  who  are  termed  as  Eligible  End  Borrowers  (EEBs)  for  the  purpose  of establishing  new  milk  processing  units,  its  modernization,  re-development  services, milk testing apparatus, BMC units, storage facilities, transportation and marketing.
- iii. Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  Development  Fund  (Department  of  Fisheries)  -  This scheme provides concessional finance support facility with 3 % Interest Subvention for development of various inland fisheries activities which includes setting up of brood banks, development of hatcheries, development of aquaculture, establishment of cage culture  in  reservoir,  construction  of  ice  plants,  construction  of  cold  storage,  fish transport etc.
- iv. Tribal Co-Operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) spearheads implementation of Van Dhan programme for collection and selling on Minor Forest  Produce  (MFP)  in  Districts  which  have  predominantly  forest  dwelling  tribal population.  The  idea  is  to  set-up  tribal  community-owned  Van  Dhan  Vikas  Kendra Clusters  (VDVKCs)  in  the  Tribal  Districts.  For  this  purpose,  100  %  assistance  is provided by the Government to the collectives in the form of SHGs/ Van Dhan Kendras.

All the schemes/projects of Government of India are oriented towards revitalizing the Cooperative sector  in  all  States,  including  the  State  of  Chhattisgarh.  Moreover,  National  Cooperative Development  Corporation  (NCDC)  has  provided  following  assistance  to  the  cooperatives  in Chhattisgarh in last 3 years: -

| Sl. No.   | Year    | Disbursement (Rs. in crore)   |
|-----------|---------|-------------------------------|
| 1         | 2019-20 | 5,500.34                      |
| 2         | 2020-21 | 12,000.07                     |
| 3         | 2021-22 | 12,400.87                     |
| Total     | Total   | 29901.28                      |