Author: SahkarNet

KOTTAYAM — In a major move set to redefine local self-governance finance, Kerala Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan today said that a new scheme will soon be implemented that would allow cooperative societies with surplus-fund to disburse loans for the development projects of local self-government institutions. Speaking at Vision 2031—a one-day seminar organized by the State government to chart the cooperative sector’s future—the Minister emphasized that meaningful local development could be achieved through stronger collaboration between local bodies and cooperative banks. He proposed granting local self-government institutions membership in cooperative banks, allowing them easier access to loans. By encouraging these institutions…

Once the backbone of India’s rural finance, cooperative banks today find themselves overshadowed by commercial and regional rural banks in the flow of agricultural credit. Over decades, their share in short-term farm lending has steadily declined—from about 65.93% in 1995–96 to 59.02% in 2021–22, according to NABARD’s Working Paper on Institutional Credit to Agriculture, 2022. This erosion is more than a statistical trend; it signals a weakening of grassroots financial institutions that were designed to empower farmers, especially small and marginal ones. Recognizing this drift, the Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) recently convened a meeting with NABARD to discuss the declining…

When Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated “Deep Sea Fishing Vessels” under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at Mazgaon Dock, Mumbai, it marked more than a maritime milestone — it signaled the beginning of a new cooperative-driven phase in India’s blue economy. A Vision Anchored in Cooperation The initiative represents a strategic blend of economic modernization and inclusive growth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government aims to replicate the success of India’s dairy and sugar cooperatives in the fisheries sector. By transitioning fishermen from wage earners to cooperative shareholders, the model ensures…

दिल्ली के सहकारिता मंत्री रविंद्र इंद्राज सिंह ने राजधानी में सहकारी आंदोलन को नई ऊर्जा देने की घोषणा की है। उन्होंने बताया कि अब मंत्री, अधिकारी और कर्मचारी अपने खाते सहकारी बैंकों में खुलवाएंगे, ताकि इन बैंकों के प्रति विश्वास और सहभागिता का सशक्त संदेश दिया जा सके। हाल ही में दिल्ली नागरिक सहकारी बैंक की वार्षिक आम सभा में मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में संबोधित करते हुए मंत्री सिंह ने कहा कि सहकारिता केवल वित्तीय व्यवस्था नहीं, बल्कि सामाजिक एकता और सहभागिता का जीवन मंत्र है। उन्होंने कहा कि दिल्ली सरकार गृह मंत्री अमित शाह और मुख्यमंत्री रेखा गुप्ता…

Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah informed the Parliament on Tuesday that boards of multi-State cooperative societies will now have two reserved seats for women and one reserved seat for Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST). The announcement came in response to questions from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who sought details on steps being taken to expand SC/ST participation in the cooperative sector. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Shah added that the government has introduced similar provisions in the model bye-laws of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), which have been shared with all States and Union Territories.…

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has passed the Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing caste and gender-based reservation for the top positions in cooperative societies. Under the new law, the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson will be reserved on a rotational basis among Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and women. Key Provisions of the Bill Rotational Reservation: Chairperson and vice-chairperson positions to rotate annually among SCs, STs, OBCs, and women. Board Nominations: Nominated members of the board will also come under reservation. At least one nominee must be from SC/ST and one must be a woman.…

J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy has been unanimously elected as the Chairman, and Chalasani Raghavendra Rao as the Vice-Chairman of Visakhapatnam Cooperative Bank (VCB). According to an official statement released by the bank, Visakhapatnam Cooperative Bank is recognized as the largest urban cooperative bank in South India and is ranked among the top 15 urban cooperative banks in the country based on its financial performance. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, VCB acquired the status of a Multi-State Cooperative Society and now operates branches across both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. With a legacy spanning over 110 years, the bank currently has around…

In a move that underscores the growing ambition and capability of India’s cooperative banking sector, Saraswat Cooperative Bank is charting a bold course to become India’s first universal bank within the cooperative fold. With a strong foundation, progressive leadership, and evolving policy support from the Ministry of Cooperation, the bank is not only aiming to double its business to ₹2 lakh crore in the next decade, but also working to transform itself into a model for cooperative banking modernization. Founded in 1918, Saraswat Bank is already one of India’s largest urban cooperative banks, with a total business (deposits and advances)…

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, formally unveiled the National Cooperative Policy – 2025 yesterday in New Delhi, marking a major milestone for the Indian cooperative sector. The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, former Union Minister and chairman of the policy drafting committee Shri Suresh Prabhu, and several other dignitaries. Consultative and Inclusive Approach Shah acknowledged the efforts of the 48-member committee led by Shri Suresh Prabhu, which held regional workshops and engaged with stakeholders including cooperative leaders, experts, ministries, and institutions…

A one-day fisheries training programme was held in Tezu, Lohit district, drawing participation from over 150 farmers and stakeholders across Lohit, Anjaw, Lower Dibang Valley, and Namsai districts. The programme was organized by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in collaboration with the Laxmanrao Inamdar National Academy for Cooperative Research and Development (LINAC), Gurugram. Conducted in coordination with the Departments of Fisheries and Cooperation, Lohit district, the training aimed to enhance the capacity and technical knowledge of fish farmers and cooperative members on modern aquaculture practices, sustainable fisheries management, and the role of cooperatives in boosting productivity and income. Lohit…