NEWS

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the National Cooperative Policy 2025 on July 24.
• Replaces the 2002 policy after 23 years.
• Aligned with the UN-declared 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (Theme: “Cooperatives Build a Better World”).

HIGHLIGHTS

Policy Overview

• Vision: Viksit Bharat by 2047 through Sahkar Se Samriddhi.
• Duration: 2025 to 2045 (up to centenary of independence).
• Drafted by a 48-member committee headed by Suresh Prabhu.

 Six Pillars of the Policy:

1. Strengthening foundations
2. Promoting vibrancy
3. Future-readiness
4. Inclusivity & reach
5. Expanding to new sectors
6. Youth engagement

Ministry of Cooperation: A Timeline

• Formed in July 2021, separate from Agriculture Ministry.
• Vision: Prosperity through Cooperation.
• Initiatives:
  • Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2023
  • National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) — ₹5,000 crore exports
  • Model Cooperative Villages (NABARD)
  • Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Gujarat

Historical Evolution of Cooperatives

• 1904: Cooperative Credit Societies Act (based on Edward Law Committee)
• 1912: Cooperative Societies Act; 1st housing cooperative (Madras, 1914)
• 1925: Bombay Cooperative Societies Act
• 1946: Registration of Amul (Kheda Union)
• Five-Year Plans: Post-independence cooperative emphasis
• 2002: First National Cooperative Policy (NDA govt)

97th Constitutional Amendment (2011)

• Inserted Part IXB into the Constitution:
  • Article 19(1)(c): Right to form cooperative societies
  • Article 43B: Directive Principle for promoting cooperatives
• Cooperatives: State subject, but multi-state cooperatives governed by Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act.