Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Multi-State Cooperative Societies at the National Level
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  FEBRUARY 2026

## Multi-State Cooperative Societies at the National Level

## *152.   Dr. Nishikant Dubey:

## Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap:

Will the Minister of COOPERATION (सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state: (a) the steps being taken to link maximum number of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with "Bharat Beej" brand under National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari  Samiti  Limited  (BBSSL)  and  to  Bharat  Organics'  brand  under  National  Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) across the country, particularly in the Shimla Lok Sabha Constituency of Himachal Pradesh; (b) the number of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) linked so far particularly in the Shimla Lok Sabha Constituency of Himachal Pradesh; (c) whether any special/fast-track scheme is proposed to connect small and marginal farmers in the  country,  particularly  in  the  Shimla  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  with  the  said  cooperative institutions by 2026, if so, the details thereof; (d) the measures being taken by NCOL to set-up more accredited laboratories at the district level to  support  quality  certification  under  the  "Bharat  Organics"  brand  particularly  in  Himachal Pradesh; and (e)  the  timeline  for  the  nationwide  rollout  of  "Bharat  Beej"  brand  under  BBSSL  and  "Bharat

- Organics" under NCOL?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 152 'MULTI-STATE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL' ASKED BY DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY AND SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DUE FOR REPLY ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026.

( a) to (b) With the approval of the Union Cabinet, the Ministry of Cooperation has established three  national-level  multi-state  cooperative  societies:  National  Cooperative  Exports  Limited (NCEL) for exports, National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) for organic produce, and Bharatiya Beej 0Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) for quality seeds. These societies are registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002. Cooperative societies at all levelsfrom PACS to Apex- are eligible to become their members. These societies are undertaking coordinated efforts with all States to enhance awareness in the identified sectors and to facilitate the enrolment of all cooperative societies, including PACS, as members. Under this initiative, NCEL, BBSSL, and NCOL have enrolled a total of 15,790, 34,078, and 11,822 members, respectively, across the country. A  total  of  140,  451  and  139  PACSs  have  become  members  of  NCEL,  BBSSL  and    NCOL, respectively, in the State of Himachal Pradesh. Out of these 15 PACSs from NCEL, 12 PACSs from BBSSL and 04 PACSs from NCOL are from Shimla. (c) At present, no separate or special fast-track scheme for connecting small and marginal farmers has been notified. However, these three cooperative societies are working to expand membership and activities through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with nodal agencies nominated by all States, thereby ensuring that small and marginal farmers who become members derive direct benefits (d) Establishment and accreditation of laboratories are being undertaken by APEDA and FSSAI, and NCOL, in coordination with the concerned Ministries and agencies, is facilitating the further empanelment and utilization of these laboratories, including at the district level, to support organic certification under NPOP standards.

(e)  BBSSL and NCOL are working through nodal agencies in the States/UTs to promote and expand 'Bharat Beej' and 'Bharat Organics' products, respectively. Nodal agencies have been nominated by 31 States for NCOL and by 26 States for BBSSL. Out of these, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with 22 nodal agencies for NCOL and 14 nodal agencies for BBSSL. Efforts are ongoing to onboard cooperative societies from the remaining States and UTs.

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