Lok Sabha Question No. 713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Sahakar Se Samriddhi
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Keshari Devi Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 713 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07/02/2023

## Sahakar Se Samriddhi

## † 713. SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL :

Will the Minister of COOPERATION ( सहकाįरता मंũी ) be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Union Government is formulating any scheme to create a new identity for organic farming in the global organic market under the core value of "Sahakar se Samriddhi";

(b) if  so,  the total  number of cooperative societies in the country at present along with the total number of members in the said societies; and

(c)  whether  the  profit  of  the  farmers  from  the  said  societies  has  been  estimated,  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION

## सहकाįरता मंũी (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a):  To  achieve  the  overall  goal  of  'Sahakar-se-Samriddhi'  through  the  inclusive  growth model of cooperatives, the Cabinet accorded its approval on 11.1.2023 to set up and promote a new national level multi-state cooperative organic society to act as an umbrella organisation to  produce,  distribute  &  market  certified  &  authentic  organic  products  and  to  promote cooperatives in the organic market by  utilization of various schemes and policies of different Ministries/Departments  of  Government  of  India  in  a  focussed  and  convergent    manner through  the  'Whole  of  Government Approach'.  The  initiative  is aimed to unlock  the  huge potential for Indian certified organic products in global market as also to cater to the domestic demand.

(b)  and  (c): As  per  statistical  profile  published  by  National  Cooperative  Union  of  India (NCUI), in 2018, there are 8.54 Lakh registered cooperatives in the country having more than 29 crore members. Presently, there is no database available regarding profit of members from these societies. However, this Ministry has initiated preparation of an authentic and updated national cooperative database in the country to facilitate stakeholders in policy making and implementation. Further, to realize the vision of 'Sahakar-se-Samriddhi', promote cooperative  based  economic  development  model,  strengthen  cooperative  movement  and deepen its  reach  up  to  the  grassroots,  Ministry  of  Cooperation  since  its  formation  in  July, 2021 has taken various initiatives such as:

1. Computerization of PACS: Process to onboard 63,000 functional PACS on an ERP based common national software with an outlay of ₹2,516 Crore started.

2. Model byelaws for PACS: Model byelaws prepared and circulated  for their adoption as per the respective State Cooperatives Act to enable PACS to undertake more  than  25  business  activities  like  dairy,  fishery,  setting  up  of  godowns,  LPG/ Petrol/ Green energy distribution agency, banking correspondents, CSC, etc.

3. PACS as Common Service Centres (CSC): MoU signed between Ministry of Cooperation,  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology,  NABARD  and CSC  -SPV  to  facilitate  functioning  of  PACS  as  CSCs  to  improve  their  viability, provide e-services at village level and generate employment.

4. National Cooperative Database: Preparation of an authentic and updated data repository  of  cooperatives  in  the  country  started  to  facilitate  stakeholders  in  policy making and implementation.

5. National  Cooperative  Policy:  A  National  level  committee  comprising  of experts and stakeholders drawn from all over the Country constituted to formulate the New  Cooperation  Policy  to  create  an  enabling  ecosystem  to  realize  the  vision  of 'Sahakar-se-Samriddhi'.

6. Amendment of MSCS Act, 2002: Bill introduced in the Parliament to amend the  centrally  administered  MSCS  Act,  2002  to  incorporate  provisions  of  97 th Constitutional  Amendment,  strengthen  governance,  enhance  transparency,  increase accountability and reform electoral process in the Multi State Cooperative Societies.

7. National Cooperative Development Corporation: New schemes for cooperatives launched by NCDC in various sectors such as 'Swayamshakti Sahkar' for  SHG;  'Deerghavadhi  Krishak  Sahkar'  for  long  term  agricultural  credit;  'Dairy Sahkar'  for  dairy  and  'Neel  Sahkar'  for  fisheries.  Total  financial  assistance  of  Rs. 34,221 Crores disbursed in FY 2021-22.

8. Member Lending Institutions in Credit Guarantee Fund Trust: Non-scheduled UCBs, StCBs and DCCBs notified as MLIs in CGTMSE Scheme to increase share of cooperatives in lending.

9. Cooperatives as 'buyers' on GeM portal:  Cooperatives permitted to register as 'buyer'  on GeM, enabling them to procure goods and services from nearly 40 lakh vendors  to facilitate economical purchases and greater transparency.

10. Reduction in surcharge on cooperative societies: Surcharge reduced from 12 % to 7% for co-operative societies having income between Rs. 1 to 10 Cr.

11. Reduction  in  Minimum  Alternate  Tax:  MAT  reduced  for  cooperatives  from 18.5% to 15%.

12. Relief  under  Section  269ST  of  IT  Act:  A  clarification  has  been  issued  to remove difficulties in cash transactions by  cooperatives  under Section 269ST of  IT Act.

13. Lowering  tax  rate  for  new  cooperatives:  Announcement  made  in  the  Union Budget 2023-24 to charge flat lower tax rate of 15%, compared with current rate of upto 30% plus surcharge, for new cooperatives commencing manufacturing activities till March 31, 2024.

14. Increase  in  limit  of  deposits  and  loans  in  cash  by  PACS  and  PCARDBs: Announcement made in the Union Budget 2023-24 to increase limit from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 2 lakh per member for deposits and loans in cash by PACS and PCARDBs.

15. Increase in limit for TDS: Announcement made in the Union Budget 2023-24 to increase cash withdrawal limit for cooperatives from Rs. 1 Crore to Rs. 3 Crore, per annum, without being subjected to TDS.

16. Relief to Sugar Cooperative Mills: Sugar cooperative mills not to be subjected to additional income tax for paying higher sugarcane prices to farmers upto Fair and Remunerative or State Advised Price.

17. Resolution of chronic pending issues of Sugar Cooperative Mills: Announcement  made  in  the  Union  Budget  2023-24  to  allow  sugar  cooperatives  to claim  as  expenditure  their  payments  to  sugarcane  farmers  for  the  period  prior  to assessment year 2016-17, giving a relief of nearly Rs. 10,000 crores.

18. New  National  Multi-State  Cooperative  Seed  Society:  New  apex  national multi-state cooperative seed society being established under the MSCS Act, 2002 as umbrella organization for quality seed cultivation, production and distribution under a single brand.

19. New National  Multi-State  Cooperative  Organic  Society:  New  apex  national multi-state cooperative organic society being established under the MSCS Act, 2002 as  umbrella  organization  to  produce,  distribute  and  market  certified  and  authentic organic products.

20. New  National  Multi-State  Cooperative  Export  Society:  New  apex  national multi-state cooperative export society being established under the MSCS Act, 2002 as umbrella organization to give thrust to exports from cooperative sector.