Relevance: GS II (Govt Policies) & GS III (Inclusive Growth/Agriculture) | Source: PIB / UN
1. Context: Global Recognition
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the “International Year of Cooperatives” with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
- Goal: To mobilize global action and highlight how cooperatives advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
- India’s Stature: India is home to the world’s largest cooperative movement, with over 8.5 lakh cooperatives covering 98% of rural areas. To map this effectively, a National Cooperative Database (NCD) was launched in 2024.
2. Transforming PACS (The Grassroots Engine)
The government is transforming Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) from mere credit outlets into “Multipurpose Economic Entities.”
- Model Bye-Laws: Adopted to allow PACS to undertake 25+ activities (e.g., Dairy, Fishery, Storage).
- New Roles: PACS now operate Jan Aushadhi Kendras (generic medicines), petrol pumps, and PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (agri-inputs).
- Digitization: A massive drive to computerize PACS and link them with NABARD via ERP software is underway to ensure transparency.
3. Three New National Multi-State Cooperatives
To fill gaps in the value chain, the government has established three new apex bodies:
|
New Body |
Purpose |
Brand Name |
| Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti (BBSSL) | Production & Testing of Quality Seeds | Bharat Beej |
| National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL) | Marketing of Organic Products | Bharat Organics |
| National Co-operative Exports Ltd (NCEL) | Promoting exports of farm produce | – |
4. Other Key Reforms
- World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan: A pilot project to build decentralized godowns at the PACS level to reduce food wastage and distress sales.
- White Revolution 2.0: Aiming for a 50% increase in milk procurement over 5 years, targeting uncovered villages.
- Education: Setting up Tribhuvan Sahkari University (India’s first cooperative university) to build a skilled workforce.
- Innovation: Launch of “Sahakar Taxi,” a driver-owned cooperative app (backed by Amul) to rival private cab aggregators.
UPSC Value Box
|
Concept / Act |
Relevance for Prelims |
| 97th Constitutional Amendment (2011) | Gave constitutional status to cooperatives. Added Article 19(1)(c) (Right to form cooperatives), Article 43B (DPSP), and Part IXB (The Co-operative Societies). |
| PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) | The bottom tier of the Short-Term Cooperative Credit Structure.
Hierarchy: PACS (Village) $\rightarrow$ DCCB (District) $\rightarrow$ StCB (State). |
| Ministry of Cooperation | Created in July 2021 to provide a separate administrative, legal, and policy framework for the cooperative movement. |
Q. With reference to the Cooperative sector in India, consider the following statements:
- The United Nations has declared the year 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives.
- The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act accorded constitutional status to cooperative societies.
- Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) constitute the highest tier in the Short-Term Cooperative Credit Structure.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (b)
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