**Executive Summary**
This report, in response to Unstarred Question No. 483, details measures taken by the Government of India through the Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) to modernize cooperative institutes in the country. It highlights infrastructure upgrades and various initiatives, with the aim of strengthening the cooperative movement. This report was prepared for February 3rd, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
*Infrastructure Upgrades and Construction:*
* A new 3-storied International Hostel has been added to VAMNICOM with 50 twin-sharing rooms and 3 VIP suites.
* A grant of ₹27.29 crore was provided to D.N.S Regional Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM), Patna, for a new hostel.
* Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM), Guwahati and ICM, Madurai are being relocated to new sites with smart buildings.
* Government to upgrade the building infrastructure of its Institutes to enhance academic and residential capacities
*Modernization and Development Initiatives:*
* Preparation of Model Bye-Laws for Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS).
* Computerization of PACS.
* Establishing New Multipurpose PACS/ Dairy/ Fishery Cooperatives.
* World's Largest Decentralized Grain Storage Plan.
* PACS as Common Service Centers (CSCs).
* Formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by PACS.
* PACS given priority for Retail Petrol/ Diesel outlets.
* PACS permitted to convert bulk consumer petrol pumps into retail outlets.
* PACS eligible for LPG Distributorship.
* PACS as PM Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
* PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK).
* PACS to carry out O&M of rural piped water supply schemes (PWS).
* Convergence of PM-KUSUM at PACS level.
* Convergence of PM Surya Ghar - Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY).
* NAFCUB approved by RBI as an Umbrella Organization for UCBs.
* Micro-ATMs to Bank Mitra Cooperative Societies.
* Rupay Kisan Credit Card to Members of Milk Cooperatives.
* Formation of Fish Farmer Producer Organization (FFPO).
* Cooperative-led "White Revolution 2.0".
*Banking and Financial Measures:*
* Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) allowed to open new branches.
* A Nodal Officer designated in RBI for regular interaction with UCBs.
* Relief for UCBs by reducing PSL target from 75% to 60%.
* Housing loan limit for UCBs increased from 10% to 25%.
* Relief in sub-limit of 12% (weaker sections) by withdrawing of target of ₹2 lakh for women loan repayment.
* Relief to Urban Cooperative Institutions by increasing 50% loan limit from ≈ 1 crore to 3 crore.
* Monetary ceiling for Gold Loan has been removed by RBI.
* Cooperative banks allowed to make one-time settlement of outstanding loans.
* License fee reduced for Cooperative Banks for ‘Aadhaar Enabled Payment System' (AePS).
* Sahakar Sarathi Pvt. Ltd., approved by RBI.
*Other Initiatives:*
* Task Force under NABARD formed to strengthen Rural Co-operative Banking sector.
* Resolution of decades-old pending issues related to Income Tax of Sugar Cooperative Mills.
* Initiative to set up tissue culture facilities for Bananas.
* Training Programme for PACS for CSC Portal.
* Computerization of the Central Registrar's Office.
* Computerization of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs).
* "Bharat Taxi" Cooperative-led mobility initiative, launching February 2026.
* Inclusion of Cooperatives as ‘buyers' on GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal.
**Impact Analysis**
**Cooperative Institutes:**
*Impact:* The document indicates that cooperative training institutes will benefit from infrastructure upgrades like new hostels and modernized facilities, enhancing their academic and residential capacities. They will also benefit from digital outreach and modernizing computer infrastructure.
*Action Required:* Institutes should coordinate with the Ministry of Cooperation for implementation of these upgrades and for accessing relevant resources and support.
**Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) and Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs):**
*Impact:* The initiatives mentioned will broaden their scope of services, enhance their financial stability, and facilitate better access to credit and technology. PACS will become multipurpose and multidimensional entities and UCBs will be able to expand their branches.
*Action Required:* PACS and UCBs should review the updated guidelines and take necessary steps to implement them, including adopting Model Bye-Laws and leveraging available financial and technological support.
**Farmers and Cooperative Members:**
*Impact:* Farmers will have improved access to credit, markets, and essential services through modernized PACS and FPOs. Members will gain access to financial services and generic medicines at the rural level.
*Action Required:* Farmers and members should engage with their local cooperative societies to understand and leverage the new services and facilities being offered.
**Rural Cooperative Banks:**
*Impact:* Strengthening of rural cooperative banks through new tech services.
*Action Required:* Rural cooperative banks should coordinate with Sahakar Sarathi Pvt. Ltd., to take advantage of 13 new tech services to enhance their capabilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Cooperation: Indian government ministry overseeing cooperative societies and initiatives.
Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS): A type of cooperative credit institution in India that forms the basis of the cooperative movement.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): An Indian government scheme aimed at enhancing agriculture infrastructure.
Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs): Cooperative banks operating in urban areas regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development; an apex development financial institution in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COOPERATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 483
TO BE ANSWERED ON 3rd FEBRUARY, 2026
MODERNIZATION OF TRAINING INSTITUTES
483. Dr Nishikant Dubey:
Will the Minister of COOPERATION (सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the measures taken by the Government to modernize the functions of cooperative
institutes in the country;
(b) whether any State Government has raised objections regarding modernization of cooperative
institutions; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION
सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)
(a) to (c): In order to strengthening cooperative movement in the country; deepening its reach
to the grassroots; modernize the functions of the cooperative institutions, the Ministry of
Cooperation (MoC) is continuously reviewing the infrastructure available with its Institutes
and modernizing them as per need to strengthen their Computer and Information Technology
(CIT) infrastructure to support training, administration, and digital outreach.
Apart from making the classrooms and auditoriums smart, the Government has also taken steps
to upgrade the building infrastructure of its Institutes to enhance academic and residential
capacities.
i. A new 3-storied International Hostel has been added to the existing infrastructure
at VAMNICOM with 50 twin-sharing rooms and 3 VIP suites. The hostel also has
a Kitchen, a Dining Hall, a Reading room, a classroom of 50 capacity, a discussion
room, a gymnasium and an office space. This building has been constructed out of
the Capital Grant of Rs.30 crore received from the Ministry of Cooperation, Govt.
of India.
ii. Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), a grant of ₹27.29 crore was
provided to D.N.S Regional Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM), Patna
for the construction of a new hostel facility to attract students and participants for
enrolment for the paid programmes.
iii. Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM), Guwahati and ICM, Madurai both are
being relocated to a new site and their buildings will be constructed as per themodernized requirements. After construction, both the institutes will have their
own future smart buildings.
In addition, the measures and initiatives undertaken by the Government to modernize the
functions of cooperative institutions in the country, together with other related initiatives, are
provided at Annexure-I.Annexure-I.
1. Preparation of Model Bye-Laws for Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS),
making them multipurpose, multidimensional, and transparent entities
2. Computerization of PACS
3. Establishing New Multipurpose PACS/ Dairy/ Fishery Cooperatives to cover all the
Panchayats and launch of related Margdarshika/ SOP:
4. World’s Largest Decentralized Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector and
launch of related Margdarshika/ SOP
5. PACS as Common Service Centers (CSCs) for better access to e-services:
6. Formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by PACS:
7. PACS given priority for Retail Petrol/ Diesel outlets:
8. PACS permitted to convert bulk consumer petrol pumps into retail outlets:
9. PACS eligible for LPG Distributorship for diversifying its activities;
10. PACS as PM Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra for improving access to generic
medicines at the rural level;
11. PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK);
12. PACS to carry out O&M of rural piped water supply schemes (PWS);
13. Convergence of PM-KUSUM at PACS level;
14. Convergence of PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG–MBY) at the
Cooperative Societies level;
15. NAFCUB, approved by RBI as an Umbrella Organization for UCBs, supports 1,500
banks with IT infrastructure and services like Digi Loan and Digi Pay;
16. Micro-ATMs to Bank Mitra Cooperative Societies for providing doorstep financial
services;
17. Rupay Kisan Credit Card to Members of Milk Cooperatives;
18. Formation of Fish Farmer Producer Organization (FFPO);
19. Cooperative-led "White Revolution 2.0" launched to boost dairy cooperatives,
employment, and women’s empowerment nationwide;
20. Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) have been allowed to open new branches to
expand their business and have been allowed by the RBI to offer doorstep services
to their customers;
21. A Nodal Officer designated in RBI for regular interaction with UCBs;
22. Relief for Urban Cooperative Societies (UCBs) by reducing PSL target from 75%
to 60%;
23. Housing loan limit for Urban Cooperative Banks increased from 10% to 25%;
24. Relief in sub-limit of 12% sub-limit (weaker sections) by withdrawing of target of
₹ 2 lakh for women loan repayment;
25. Relief to Urban Cooperative Institutions by increasing 50% loan limit from ₹ 1 crore
to ₹ 3 crore;
26. Monetary ceiling for Gold Loan has been removed by RBI;
27. Cooperative banks have been allowed to make one-time settlement of outstanding
loans, like Commercial Banks;
28. License fee reduced for Cooperative Banks for ‘Aadhaar Enabled Payment System’
(AePS);
29. Sahakar Sarathi Pvt. Ltd., approved by RBI, established to strengthen Rural
Cooperative Banks with 13 new tech services;30. Task Force under NABARD formed to strengthen Rural Co-operative Banking
sector as per National Cooperation Policy 2025;
31. Resolution of decades-old pending issues related to Income Tax of Sugar
Cooperative Mills;
32. Initiative to set up tissue culture facilities for Bananas;
33. Training Programme for PACS for CSC Portal;
34. Computerization of the Central Registrar’s Office;
35. Computerization of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs);
36. “Bharat Taxi”: Cooperative-led mobility initiative to empower drivers and offer
affordable, reliable transport, launching February 2026;
37. Inclusion of Cooperatives as ‘buyers’ on GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal
****