Lok Sabha Question No. 3570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: PACS in Rajasthan
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3570 TO BE ANSWERED ON  17/12/2024

## PACS in Rajasthan

## 3570: Shri Damodar Agrawal

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

- (a) the district-wise details of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in the State of Rajasthan including Bhilwara Lok Sabha constituency;
- (b) the  district-wise  details  of  farmers  taking  benefit  from  Primary  Agricultural  Credit  Societies (PACS) in the State of Rajasthan including Bhilwara Lok Sabha constituency?
- (c) the  district-wise  details  of  the  funds  allocated  in  the  State  of  Rajasthan  for  various  schemes specified/determined by the Government during the last three years; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  make  the  Primary  Agricultural  Cooperative  Societies (PACS) financially sound?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The district-wise details of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in the State of Rajasthan including Bhilwara Lok Sabha constituency is attached in Annexure-I.
- (b): The district wise details of the farmers taking benefit from Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in the State of Rajasthan including Bhilwara Lok Sabha constituency is attached in the annexure- II.
- (c) The district-wise details of the funds allocated in the State of Rajasthan for various schemes specified/determined by the Government during the last three years is attached in the annexure- III.
- (d):  In  order  to  make  Primary  Agricultural  Cooperative  Societies  (PACS)  financially  sound, Government of India is implementing 56 initiatives in the cooperative sectors. The initiatives may be seen in the annexure-IV.

*****

## Annexure-I

## District wise No. of PACS in Rajasthan

| S.No   | District                 | Number of PACS   |
|--------|--------------------------|------------------|
| 1      | JAIPUR                   | 531              |
| 2      | BARMER                   | 456              |
| 3      | ALWAR                    | 444              |
| 4      | NAGAUR                   | 406              |
| 5      | BHILWARA                 | 378              |
| 6      | GANGANAGAR               | 340              |
| 7      | JODHPUR                  | 328              |
| 8      | SIKAR                    | 325              |
| 9      | BHARATPUR                | 290              |
| 10     | JHUNJHUNU                | 280              |
| 11     | BIKANER                  | 274              |
| 12     | HANUMANGARH              | 256              |
| 13     | JALORE                   | 245              |
| 14     | AJMER                    | 244              |
| 15     | JHALAWAR                 | 240              |
| 16     | PALI                     | 240              |
| 17     | CHITTORGARH              | 234              |
| 18     | BANSWARA                 | 232              |
| 19     | TONK                     | 232              |
| 20     | CHURU                    | 223              |
| 21     | DAUSA                    | 219              |
| 22     | UDAIPUR                  | 215              |
| 23     | BARAN                    | 211              |
| 24     | BUNDI                    | 170              |
| 25 26  | SAWAI MADHOPUR DUNGARPUR | 170 168          |
| 27     | KOTA                     | 166              |
| 28     | PRATAPGARH               | 164              |
| 29     | JAISALMER                | 162              |
| 30     | KARAULI                  | 161              |
| 31     | RAJSAMAND                | 147              |
| 32     | DHOLPUR                  | 108              |
| 33     | SIROHI                   | 96               |
| 34     | PHALODI                  | 1                |
| 35     | ANOOPGARH                | 0                |
| 36     | BALOTRA                  | 0                |
| 37     | BEAWAR                   | 0                |
| 38     | DEEG                     | 0                |
| 39     | DIDWANA KUCHAMAN         | 0                |
| 40     | DUDU                     | 0                |
| 41     | GANGAPURCITY             | 0                |
| 42     | JAIPUR GRAMIN            | 0                |
| 43     | JODHPUR GRAMIN           | 0                |
| 44     | KEKRI                    | 0                |
| 45     | KHAIRTHAL-TIJARA         | 0                |
| 46     | KOTPUTLI-BEHROR          | 0                |
| 47     | NEEM KA THANA            | 0                |
| 48     | SALUMBAR                 | 0                |
| 49     | SANCHOR                  | 0                |
| 50     | SHAHPURA Total           | 0 8356           |

## Annexure-II

## District wise No. of PACS and Members in Rajasthan

| S.No   | District         | Number of PACS   | Number of Members   |
|--------|------------------|------------------|---------------------|
| 1      | JAIPUR           | 531              | 438058              |
| 2      | JHUNJHUNU        | 280              | 427251              |
| 3      | NAGAUR           | 406              | 365480              |
| 4      | SIKAR            | 325              | 334652              |
| 5      | BARMER           | 456              | 319845              |
| 6      | BHILWARA         | 378              | 312005              |
| 7      | CHURU            | 223              | 286568              |
| 8      | PALI             | 240              | 254581              |
| 9      | JODHPUR          | 328              | 243180              |
| 10     | ALWAR            | 444              | 231178              |
| 11     | CHITTORGARH      | 234              | 223552              |
| 12     | AJMER            | 244              | 218743              |
| 13     | UDAIPUR          | 215              | 210651              |
| 14     | BANSWARA         | 232              | 197409              |
| 15     | DUNGARPUR        | 168              | 174631              |
| 16     | JALORE           | 245              | 171864              |
| 17     | BHARATPUR        | 290              | 171301              |
| 18     | JHALAWAR         | 240              | 164849              |
| 19     | GANGANAGAR       | 340              | 156220              |
| 20     | RAJSAMAND        | 147              | 146084              |
| 21     | KARAULI          | 161              | 145869              |
| 22     | DAUSA            | 219              | 138291              |
| 23     | JAISALMER        | 162              | 138291              |
| 24     | PRATAPGARH       | 164              | 128536              |
| 25     | BUNDI            | 170              | 126537              |
| 26     | SIROHI           | 96               | 120626              |
| 27     | SAWAI MADHOPUR   | 170              | 117493              |
| 28     | TONK             | 232              | 108970              |
| 29     | KOTA             | 166              | 108339              |
| 30     | BARAN            | 211              | 105433              |
| 31     | DHOLPUR          | 108              | 56848               |
| 32     | BIKANER          | 274              | 27903               |
| 33     | HANUMANGARH      | 256              | 13470               |
| 34     | PHALODI          | 1                | 180                 |
| 35     | ANOOPGARH        | 0                | 0                   |
| 36     | BALOTRA          | 0                | 0                   |
| 37     | BEAWAR           | 0                | 0                   |
| 38     | DEEG             | 0                | 0                   |
|        | DIDWANA          |                  |                     |
| 39     | KUCHAMAN         | 0                | 0                   |
| 40     | DUDU             | 0                | 0                   |
| 41     | GANGAPURCITY     | 0                | 0                   |
| 42     | JAIPUR GRAMIN    | 0                | 0                   |
| 43     | JODHPUR GRAMIN   | 0                | 0                   |
| 44     | KEKRI            | 0                | 0                   |
| 45     | KHAIRTHAL-TIJARA | 0                | 0                   |
| 46     | KOTPUTLI-BEHROR  | 0                | 0                   |
| 47     | NEEM KA THANA    | 0                | 0                   |
| 48     | SALUMBAR         | 0                | 0                   |
| 49     | SANCHOR          | 0                | 0                   |
| 50     | SHAHPURA         | 0                | 0                   |
|        | Total            | 8356             | 6384888             |

## District-wise Disbursement in Rajasthan During 2021-22 to 2024-25 (as on 10.12.2024)

| S.No   | District Name   | 2021-22   | 2021-22   | 2021-22   | 2022-23   | 2022-23   | 2022-23   | 2023-24   | 2023-24   | 2023-24   | 2024-25 (AS ON 10.12.2024)   | 2024-25 (AS ON 10.12.2024)   | 2024-25 (AS ON 10.12.2024)   |
|--------|-----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
| S.No   | District Name   | Loan      | Grant     | Total     | Loan      | Grant     | Total     | Loan      | Grant     | Total     | Loan                         | Grant                        | Total                        |
| 1      | Ajmer           | -         | 6.69      | 6.69      | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -                            | -                            | -                            |
| 2      | Anupgarh        | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.07      | 0.00      | 0.07      | 0.29                         | 0.06                         | 0.35                         |
| 3      | Banswara        | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.35      | 0.35      | -         | 0.48      | 0.48      | 0.08                         | 0.18                         | 0.26                         |
| 4      | Barmer          | -         | 0.07      | 0.07      | -         | 0.25      | 0.25      | -         | 0.45      | 0.45      | 0.86                         | 0.19                         | 1.05                         |
| 5      | Bundi           | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.02      | 0.00      | 0.02      | 0.02                         | 0.01                         | 0.03                         |
| 6      | Chittorgarh     | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -                            | -                            | -                            |
| 7      | Dungarpur       | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.04      | 0.04      | -         | 0.16      | 0.16      | -                            | 0.10                         | 0.10                         |
| 8      | Hanumangarh     | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -                            | -                            | -                            |
| 9      | Jaipur          | -         | 0.91      | 0.91      | -         | 3.96      | 3.96      | 60.00     | 3.25      | 63.25     | 62.10                        | 1.09                         | 63.19                        |
| 10     | Jalore          | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.07      | 0.07      | -         | 0.27      | 0.27      | -                            | 0.42                         | 0.42                         |
| 11     | Kerki           | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.05      | 0.00      | 0.05      | 0.05                         | 0.01                         | 0.06                         |
| 12     | Nagaur          | -         | -         | -         | 0.09      | 0.00      | 0.09      | 0.27      | 0.00      | 0.27      | 0.04                         | 0.00                         | 0.04                         |
| 13     | Sikar           | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.25                         | 0.08                         | 0.33                         |
| 14     | Sri Ganganagar  | 0.04      | 0.08      | 0.12      | -         | 0.12      | 0.12      | -         | 0.70      | 0.70      | 0.55                         | 0.24                         | 0.79                         |
| 15     | Tonk            | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.36      | 0.36      | -                            | 0.02                         | 0.02                         |
| 16     | Udaipur         | -         | -         | -         | -         | 0.03      | 0.03      | -         | -         | -         | -                            | -                            | -                            |
|        | Total           | 0.04      | 7.75      | 7.79      | 0.09      | 4.82      | 4.91      | 60.41     | 5.68      | 66.09     | 64.24                        | 2.40                         | 66.64                        |

## Annexure-III

Rs. in crore

## ANNEXURE-IV

## Progress on major initiatives taken by Ministry of Cooperation

1. Model Bye-Laws for PACS  making them multipurpose, multidimensional and transparent entities : Government, in consultation with all the stakeholders, including States/ UTs,  National Level Federations, State Cooperative Banks  (StCBs),  District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), etc., has prepared and circulated Model Byelaws for PACS to all the States/ UTs, which enable PACS to undertake more than 25 business activities, improve governance, transparency and accountability in their operations. Provisions have also been made to make the membership of PACS more inclusive and broad-based, giving adequate representation to women and Scheduled Castes/Schedules Tribes. So far, 32 States/ UTs have adopted Model Byelaws or their existing byelaws are in line with Model Byelaws.
2. Strengthening of PACS through Computerization :  In order to strengthen PACS, project for Computerization of functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore has been approved  by  the  Government  of  India,  which  entails  bringing  all  functional  PACS  in  the Country onto a common ERP based national software, linking them with NABARD through StCBs and DCCBs. A total of 67,930 PACS from 30 States/ UTs have been sanctioned under the project. A total of 40,727 PACS have been onboarded on ERP Software and hardware has been procured by 29 States/UTs.
3. Establishing  New  Multipurpose  PACS/  Dairy/  Fishery  Cooperatives  in  uncovered Panchayats : The Government of India has approved the plan to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives, aiming to cover all panchayats and villages in the country over the next five years. This initiative is supported by NABARD, NDDB, NFDB and State/UT Governments.  For  effective  implementation  of  the  initiative,  'Margadarshika'  has  been launched on 19.9.2024, indicating the targets and timelines for stakeholders. As per National Cooperative Database, a total of 8,823 new PACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperative Societies have been registered across the country since the approval of the plan on 15.2.2023.
4. World's Largest Decentralized Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative sector :  Government has approved a plan to create warehouses, custom hiring centers, primary processing units and other agri infrastructure for grain storage at PACS level, through convergence of various GOI schemes, including AIF, AMI, SMAM, PMFME, etc. This will reduce wastage of food grains and transportation costs, enable farmers to realize better prices for their produce and meet various agricultural needs at the PACS level itself. Under the pilot project, construction of godowns in 11 PACS of 11 States has been completed.
5. PACS as Common Service Centers (CSCs) for better access to e-services : An MoU has been  signed  between  Ministry  of  Cooperation,  MeitY,  NABARD  and  CSC  e-Governance Services India Limited for providing more than 300 e-services such as banking, insurance, Aadhar  enrolment/  updation,  health  services,  PAN  card  and  IRCTC/  Bus/  Air  ticket,  etc. through PACS. So far, 40,214 PACS have started providing CSC services to rural citizens.
6. Formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by PACS :  Government has allowed 1,100 additional FPOs to be formed by PACS with the support of NCDC, in those blocks  where  FPOs  have  not  yet  been  formed  or  the  blocks  are  not  covered  by  any  other implementing agency. Apart from this, 1,207 FPOs have been formed in the cooperative sector by NCDC. This will be helpful in providing farmers with necessary market linkages and get fair and remunerative prices for their produce.
7. PACS given priority for Retail Petrol/ Diesel outlets : Government has allowed PACS to be included in the Combined Category 2 (CC2) for allotment of retail petrol/ diesel outlets. As per  information  received  from  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs),  286  PACS  from  25 States/UTs have applied online for retail petrol/ diesel outlets.
8. PACS given permission to convert bulk consumer petrol pumps into retail outlets : The existing bulk consumer licensee PACS have been given a one-time option by Oil Marketing Companies to convert into retail outlets. As per information shared by OMCs, 109 wholesale consumer pump licensee PACS from 4 States have given consent for conversion into Retail Outlets, out of which 45 PACS have received Letter of Intent (LOI) from the OMCs.
9. PACS eligible for LPG Distributorship for diversifying its activities : Government has now allowed PACS to apply for LPG Distributorships. This will give PACS an option to increase their economic activities and diversify their income stream.
10. PACS as PM Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra for improving access to generic medicines at  rural  level :  PACS have been  allowed to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs), which will provide additional income source to them and ease the access to quality generic medicines for rural citizens. So far, 4,470 PACS/ cooperative societies have applied online for PMBJKs, out of which 2,705 PACS have been given initial approval by Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) and 755 PACS have received drug license from State Drug Controllers which are ready to function as PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
11. PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK): PACS have been enabled to operate PMKSK for ensuring easy accessibility of fertilizer & related services to farmers in the country. As per the information shared by Department of Fertilizers (GOI) and States/ UTs, a total of 36,180 PACS are functioning as PMKSK.
12. PACS to carry out O&M of rural piped water supply schemes (PWS) : PACS have been made eligible to carry out the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) of PWS in rural areas. As per information received from States/ UTs, 1,227 PACS have been identified/ selected by 13 States/ UTs to provide O&M services at Panchayat/ Village level.
13. Convergence of PM-KUSUM at PACS level : Farmers associated with PACS can adopt solar agricultural water pumps and install photovoltaic modules in their farms.
14. Micro-ATMs  to  Bank  Mitra  Cooperative  Societies  for  providing  doorstep  financial services : Dairy and Fisheries cooperative societies can be made Bank Mitras of DCCBs and StCBs. To ensure their ease of doing business, transparency and financial inclusion, MicroATMs are also being given to these Bank Mitra Co-operative Societies with support from NABARD to provide 'Door-step Financial Services'. To facilitate effective implementation of

the initiative, an SOP has been launched on 19 th  September 2024. So far, 7,446 Micro-ATMs have been distributed to Bank Mitra cooperative societies in Gujarat.

15. Rupay Kisan Credit Card to Members of Milk Cooperatives : In order to expand the reach of DCCBs/ StCBs and to provide necessary liquidity to the members of Dairy Cooperative societies,  Rupay  Kisan  Credit  Cards  (KCCs)  are  being  distributed  to  the  members  of cooperatives for providing credit at comparatively lower interest rates and to enable them to carry out other financial transactions. To facilitate effective implementation of the initiative, an SOP has been launched on 19 th  September 2024. So far, 7,25,795 Rupay KCC have been distributed in the State of Gujarat.
16. Formation of Fish Farmer Producer Organization (FFPO) :  In  order  to  provide  market linkage and processing facilities to fishermen, NCDC has registered 70 FFPOs in the initial phase. In addition, Department of Fisheries, Government of India has allocated the work of converting  1000  existing  fisheries  cooperative  societies  into  FFPOs  to  NCDC,  with  an approved outlay of Rs. 225.50 crore.
17. White Revolution 2.0 : Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, has launched a new initiative  of  'White  Revolution  2.0'  with  the  aim  of  enhancing  employment,  promoting women's empowerment and improving milk production through cooperative societies. The key objectives of this initiative are 50% increase in procurement of milk by dairy cooperatives, providing  market  access  to  dairy  farmers  in  areas  that  have  not  yet  been  covered  by  the organized dairy sector and promoting the share of dairy cooperative societies in the organized dairy sector. Ministry of Cooperation, in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has prepared and launched an SOP on 19 th  September, 2024 to guide the effective implementation of this initiative.
18. Atmanirbharta Abhiyan : Ministry of Cooperation has launched the initiative to incentivize production of pulses (tur, masur and urad) to reduce dependency on imports, and production of  maize  to  be  used  for  production  of  ethanol  for  meeting  the  goal  of  Ethanol  Blending Programme  (EBP).  National  Cooperative  Consumer  Federation  (NCCF)  and  National Agricultural  Cooperative  Marketing  Federation  of  India  (NAFED)  are  the  central  nodal agencies  under  this  initiative,  and  have  developed  Esamyukti  (NCCF)  and  Esamridhi

(NAFED)  portals  respectively,  for  registration  of  farmers  through  cooperatives.  For  preregistered farmers of tur, urad and masur pulses, the Government has guaranteed to procure 100% of the produce at Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, if market prices exceed the MSP, farmers are free to sell their produce in the open market for higher profits. Similarly, both  the  agencies  guarantee  100%  procurement  of  maize  from  pre-registered  farmers throughout all three seasons - Kharif, Zaid, and Rabi, thus ensuring a steady supply of maize to ethanol distilleries and at the same time also encouraging farmers to cultivate maize. As of today, 15,38,704 farmers have already registered on the Esamyukti.in portal of NCCF and 17,64,130 on the Esamridhi portal of NAFED.

19. Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) have been allowed to open new branches to expand their business: UCBs can now open new branches up to 10% (maximum 5 branches) of the existing number of branches in the previous financial year without prior approval of RBI.
20. UCBs have been allowed by RBI to offer doorstep services to their customers: Door step banking facility can now be provided by UCBs. Account holders of these banks can now avail various banking facilities at home such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, KYC, demand draft and life certificate for pensioners, etc.
21. Cooperative banks have been allowed to make one-time settlement of outstanding loans, like  Commercial  Banks: Co-operative  banks,  through  board-approved  policies,  can  now provide the process for settlement with borrowers, along with technical write-off.
22. Time limit increased to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets given to UCBs : RBI has extended the timeline for UCBs to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets by two years i.e., up to March 31, 2026.
23. A Nodal Officer designated in RBI for regular interaction with UCBs : In order to meet the long pending demand of the cooperative sector for closer coordination and focused interaction, RBI has notified a nodal officer.
24. Individual  housing  loan  limit  more  than  doubled  by  RBI  for  Rural  and  Urban Cooperative Banks:
- a. Housing loan limit of Urban Cooperative Banks has now been doubled from Rs. 30 lakh to Rs.60 lakhs.
- b. Housing loan limit of Rural Cooperative Banks has been increased to two and a half times to Rs.75 lakhs.
25. Rural Cooperative Banks will now be able to lend to commercial real estate/ residential housing  sector,  thereby  diversifying  their  business :  This  will  not  only  help  Rural Cooperative Banks to diversify their business, but will benefit Housing cooperative societies also.
26. License fee reduced for Cooperative Banks : License fee for onboarding Cooperative Banks to 'Aadhaar Enabled Payment System' (AePS) has been reduced by linking it to the number of transactions. Cooperative financial institutions will also be able to get the facility free of cost for the first three months of the pre-production phase. With this, farmers will now be able to get the facility of banking at their home with through biometrics.
27. Non-scheduled  UCBs,  StCBs  and  DCCBs  notified  as  Member  Lending  Institutions (MLIs) in CGTMSE Scheme to increase the share of cooperatives in lending: Cooperative banks will now be able to take advantage of risk coverage up to 85 percent on the loans given. Also,  cooperative  sector  enterprises  will  also  be  able  to  get  collateral  free  loans  from cooperative banks now.
28. Notification  of  Scheduling  norms  for  including  Urban  Cooperative  Banks: UCBs that meet the 'Financially Sound and Well Managed' (FSWM) criteria and have maintained the minimum deposits required for classification as Tier 3 for the last two years are now eligible to be included in Schedule II of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and get 'Scheduled' status.
29. Monetary ceiling doubled by RBI for Gold Loan: RBI has doubled monetary ceiling from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs.4 lakh, for those UCBs that meet the PSL targets.
30. Umbrella Organization for Urban Cooperative Banks : RBI has accorded approval to the National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies Ltd. (NAFCUB) for

the  formation  of  an  Umbrella  Organization  (UO)  for  the  UCB  sector,  which  will  provide necessary IT infrastructure and operational support to around 1,500 UCBs.

31. Surcharge reduced from 12% to 7% for co-operative societies having income between Rs. 1 to 10 Cr.: This will reduce the burden of Income Tax on Cooperative Societies and more capital will be available with them to work for the benefit of their members.
32. MAT reduced for cooperatives from 18.5% to 15%: With this provision, now there is parity between Cooperative Societies and Companies in this regard.
33. Relief in cash transactions under section 269ST of the Income Tax Act: In order to remove difficulties in cash transactions by cooperatives under Section 269ST of IT Act, Government has issued a clarification that cash transaction of less than Rs. 2 lakhs done by a cooperative society with its distributor in a day will be considered separately, and will not be charged with income tax penalty.
34. Tax cut for new manufacturing Cooperative societies: Government has decided that a flat lower tax rate of 15% will be charged, compared to an earlier rate of up to 30% plus surcharge, for  new  cooperatives  commencing  manufacturing  activities  by  March  31,  2024.  This  will encourage the formation of new cooperative societies in the manufacturing sector.
35. Increase in limit of Cash Deposits and Cash Loans by PACS and PCARDBs: Government has enhanced the limit for Cash Deposits and Cash Loans by PACS and Primary Cooperative Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  Banks  (PCARDBs)  from  Rs.20,000  to  Rs.2  lakh  per member.  This  provision  will  facilitate  their  activities,  increase  their  business  and  benefit members of their societies.
36. Increase in the limit of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) in Cash Withdrawal: Government has increased the cash withdrawal limit of cooperative societies without deduction of tax at source from Rs.1 crore to Rs.3 crore per year. This provision will save Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) for cooperative societies, which will enhance their liquidity.
37. Relief from Income Tax to Sugar Cooperative Mills : Government has issued a clarification that cooperative sugar mills would not be subjected to additional income tax for paying higher sugarcane prices to farmers up to Fair and Remunerative or State Advised Price, from April, 2016 onwards.
38. Resolution of decades old pending issues related to Income Tax of Sugar Cooperative Mills :  Government  has  made  a  provision  in  its  Union  Budget  2023-24,  wherein  Sugar cooperatives have been allowed to claim as expenditure their payments to sugarcane farmers for the period prior to assessment year 2016-17, giving them a relief of more than Rs.46,000 crore.
39. Rs.10,000  crore  loan  scheme  launched  for  strengthening  of  Sugar  Cooperative  Mills : Government  has  launched  a  scheme  through  NCDC  for  setting  up  ethanol  plants  or cogeneration plants or for working capital or for all three purposes. So far, the Ministry has released Rs. 750 crore to NCDC (Rs. 500 crore in FY 2022-23 and Rs. 250 crore in FY 202425) under the scheme and as on 7.11.2024, NCDC has so far sanctioned Rs.7790.00 crore to 56 CSMs.
40. Preference to Cooperative Sugar Mills in purchase of ethanol :  Cooperative Sugar Mills have now been put at par with private companies for ethanol procurement by Government of India under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).
41. Reduction in GST on molasses from 28% to 5%: Government has decided to reduce the GST on molasses from 28% to 5% which will enable cooperative sugar mills to earn more profits for their members by selling molasses to distilleries with higher margins.
42. New National Multi-State Cooperative Seed Society for certified seeds : Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative seed society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) as an umbrella organization for quality seed cultivation, production and distribution under a single brand. BBSSL so far has planted breeder seeds of Wheat, Mustard, and Pulses (Gram, Pea) on 366 Hectare land during Rabi season. Similarly, during Kharif season breeder seeds of Paddy, Moong, Soyabean, Groundnut, Jowar

and  Guar  have  been  planted  on  148.26  Hectare  land.  So  far,  14,816  PACS/  Cooperative Societies have become members of BBSSL.

43. New National Multi-State Cooperative Organic Society for organic farming : Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative organic society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely  National  Cooperative  Organics  Limited  (NCOL)  as  an  umbrella  organization  to produce, distribute and market certified and authentic organic products. So far, 3,772 PACS/ cooperative societies have become members of NCOL. NCOL has launched 13 products i.e., Whole Wheat Flour, Moong Dhuli,  Moong Whole, Moog Chilka Dal, Moog Split, Arhar/Toor Dal,  Urad  Whole,  Urad  Dal,  Masoor  Whole,  Masoor  Malka,Brown  Chana,  Rajma  Chitra, Chana Dal under 'Bharat Organics Brand'.
44. New National Multi-State Cooperative Export Society for promoting exports : Government  has  established  a  new  apex  multi-state  cooperative  export  society  under  the MSCS  Act,  2002,  namely  National  Cooperative  Export  Limited  (NCEL)  as  an  umbrella organization to give thrust to exports from cooperative sector. So far, 5,438 PACS/ cooperative societies have become members of NCEL. Till date, NCEL has achieved a total export quantity of commodities (rice, sugar, onion, wheat, maize and Jeera) of 11,62,728 Metric tonnes with an exported value of Rs. 4,581.7 crore.
45. Promotion of training and awareness through National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT) : By increasing its reach, NCCT has conducted 1,937 training programs and provided training to 1,09,021 participants till October 2024.
46. Computerization  of  the  Central  Registrar's  Office :  Central  Registrar's  office  has  been computerized to create a digital ecosystem for Multi-State Cooperative Societies, which will assist in processing applications and service requests in a time bound manner.
47. Scheme for computerization of office of RCSs in States/Union Territories :  To increase 'Ease  of  doing  business'  for  Cooperative  Societies  and  create  a  digital  ecosystem  for transparent  paperless  regulation  in  all  the  States/  Union  Territories,  a  Centrally  Sponsored

Project for computerization of RCS Offices has been approved by the Government. Grants are provided for purchase of hardware, development of software, etc. to the States/ UTs. So far, proposals received from 35 States/ UTs have been sanctioned by GOI.

48. Computerization of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) : To strengthen the long-term cooperative credit structure, the project of computerization of 1,851 units of Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  Banks  (ARDBs)  spread  across  13  States/  Union Territories has been approved by the Government. NABARD is the implementing agency for the project. So far, proposals from 10 States/UTs have been received and sanctioned. Further, GOI share amounting to Rs 4.26 crore has been released to 8 States/UTs in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 for procurement of hardware, digitization and setting up of support system.
49. New  National  Cooperative  Database  for  authentic  and  updated  data  repository :  A database  of  cooperatives  in  the  country  has  been  prepared  with  the  support  of  State Governments to facilitate stakeholders in policy making and implementation of programmes/ schemes  related  to  cooperatives  across  the  country.  So  far,  data  of  more  than  8  lakh cooperatives has been captured in the database.
50. Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023 : Amendment has been brought in the MSCS  Act, 2002 to strengthen governance, enhance transparency, increase accountability,  reform  electoral  process  and  incorporate  provisions  of  97 th Constitutional Amendment in the Multi State Cooperative Societies.
51. Cooperative  Ombudsman: Following  the  amendment  in  the  Multi-State  Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, Cooperative Ombudsman has been appointed under Section 85A of the said Act vide gazette notification dated 05.03.2024. The Ombudsman office is fully functional and deals with complaints or appeals, from members of the MSCS regarding their deposits, equitable benefits of the Multi-State Co-operative Society's functioning or any other issue affecting the individual rights of the concerned member.
52. Cooperative  Election  Authority  (CEA): Following  the  amendment  in  the  Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, the Cooperative Election Authority has been set up

to strengthen governance and accountability, with a mandate to conduct free and fair election in all MSCSs. Elections in more than 60 MSCS have been conducted successfully.

53. Inclusion  of  Cooperatives  as  'buyers'  on  GeM  portal :    Government  has  permitted cooperatives to register as 'buyer' on GeM, enabling them to procure goods and services from over 67 lakhs vendors to facilitate economical purchases and greater transparency. So far, 574 cooperative societies have been onboarded on GeM as buyers. To date, 2,406 transactions have been done with transaction amount of Rs. 273.62 crores.
54. Expansion of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to increase its range  and  depth : NCDC  has  launched new  schemes in various sectors such as 'SwayamshaktiSahkar' for SHGs; 'Deerghavadhi Krishak Sahkar' for long term agricultural credit  and  'Dairy  Sahkar'  for  dairy.  During  the  current  FY  2024-25,  so  far,  total  financial assistance of Rs. 52,533 crores has been disbursed by NCDC.
55. Financial  assistance  by  NCDC  for  Deep  Sea  Trawlers :  NCDC  is  providing  financial assistance  for  projects  related  to  deep  sea  trawlers  in  coordination  with  the  Department  of Fisheries, Government of India. NCDC has already sanctioned financial assistance of Rs. 25.95 crore  for  purchase  of  total  44  deep  sea  trawlers  for  the  Fisheries  Cooperative  Societies  of Maharashtra and Gujarat State.
56. Refund to Investors of Sahara Group of Societies : A portal has been launched for making payments  to  the  genuine  depositors  of  the  cooperative  societies  of  Sahara  Group  in  a transparent  manner.  Disbursements  have  already  started  after  proper  identification  and submission of proof of their deposits and claims. So far, Rs.1248.71 crores have been disbursed to 8.23 lakhs applicants.

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