Lok Sabha Question No. 3568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Loan Schemes and Cooperative Banks
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3568 TO BE ANSWERED ON  17/12/2024

## LOAN SCHEMES AND COOPERATIVE BANKS

## 3568.Shri Thiru Dayanidhi Maran:

Will the Minister of Cooperation ( सहकारिता मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the Ministry's current plan and ongoing initiatives for revamping infrastructure for institutes of cooperative management;
- (b) the plan of the Ministry to support State Governments in strengthening cooperative education and management training; and
- (c) the manner in which the Ministry plan to balance the need for revenue with the developmental objectives of cooperatives in rural

## ANSWER

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

(a):  The  National  Council  for  Cooperative  Training  (NCCT)  serves  as  the  apex  training  body, funded  and  promoted  by  the  Ministry  of  Cooperation.  There  are  5  Regional  Institutes  of Cooperative  Management  and  14  Institutes  of  Cooperative  Management  under  the  National Council  for  Cooperative  Training  (NCCT)  across  the  country.  Regarding  the  revamping  of infrastructure, including the modernization of classrooms, buildings, and other facilities, NCCT undertakes this revamp through its Training and Development Fund (TDF) based on the needs and requirements of each institute at regular intervals.

- (b):  The  Ministry  supports  the  State  Governments  in  strengthening  cooperative  education  and management  training  by  coordinating  with  State  Cooperative  Departments,  Federations,  and Cooperative  Unions.  Through  NCCT  and  its  units,  various  programmes  are  being  conducted, including:
- Diploma Programmes : Long-term courses to equip individuals with in-depth knowledge of the cooperative sector.
- Short-duration and Awareness Programmes : Focused training to address specific needs in cooperative management  for  staff,  Board  of  Directors,  CEOs  and  members  of cooperatives.
- Professional Programmes : Advanced management training to develop skilled professionals for the cooperative sector.

These initiatives make available steady stream of trained professionals to the managements of statelevel cooperatives.

(c): NCCT, through its training units, conducts a range of Business Development Programmes and Fund  Management  Programmes  aimed  at  strengthening  rural  cooperative  societies  and  on improving  the  cooperatives'  capacity  for  revenue  generation  by  equipping  them  with  modern business  strategies  and  financial  management  skills.  Additionally,  Ministry  has  taken  several initiatives to balance the revenue with the developmental objectives in rural and agricultural sectors like:

## 1. Enhancing Economic Activities

- Multipurpose PACS: Enable PACS to undertake over 25 business activities by adopting Model Byelaws.
- New  Initiatives:  Establish  new  PACS,  Dairy,  and  Fishery  cooperatives  in  uncovered regions.
- PACS as Retail and Service Hubs: Operate petrol/diesel outlets, LPG distributorships, PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras.

## 2. Digital Transformation and Infrastructure

- PACS Computerization: A ₹2,516 crore project for creating a common ERP-based system.
- Micro-ATMs: Distribute devices to provide doorstep banking services in rural areas.
- Central  Registrar's  Office  Digitization:  Streamline  regulation  and  service  delivery  for Multi-State Cooperative Societies.

## 3. Improved Access to Credit

- Rupay Kisan Credit Cards: Provide low-interest credit to cooperative members.
- Tax and Surcharge Reductions: Lower MAT and surcharges to retain more funds within cooperatives.
- Increased Loan Limits: Allow higher individual loans for housing and gold loans through cooperative banks.

## 4. Diversification and Value Addition

- Agri-Infrastructure  Development:  Establish  decentralized  grain  storage  and  primary processing units.
- White Revolution 2.0: Increase milk procurement and market access for dairy cooperatives.
- FPOs and FFPOs: Form Farmer and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations to improve market linkages.

## 5. Policy Support

- Incentives for Local Production: Support pulse and maize cultivation to reduce imports.
- Umbrella Organizations: Support UCBs and cooperatives with IT and operational aid.

## 6. Tax and Financial Relief

- Cash Transactions and Withdrawal Limits: Increase exemptions and limits for cooperative societies.
- Ethanol Blending Program: Promote ethanol production through sugar cooperatives.