Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Cooperation launched the New National Cooperation Policy, 2025 on July 24, 2025, to provide a framework for developing the cooperative sector, with the mission to achieve 16 objectives over the next 10 years. The policy is structured around six strategic mission pillars, with many points under implementation. This document also addresses the status of platform cooperative societies, external venture funding, investment options for cooperative societies, and the number of multi-state cooperative societies.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **National Cooperation Policy, 2025:**
* Launched on July 24, 2025.
* Provides a roadmap and framework for developing the cooperative sector.
* Aims to achieve 16 objectives over the next 10 years.
* Structured around six strategic mission pillars (listed in Annexure I).
* Majority of policy points are under implementation.
* **Platform Cooperative Societies:**
* Defined as cooperatively owned and democratically governed businesses using technology.
* Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, to develop an app-based taxi service.
* The Sahakar Taxi app is in the development stage, with a pilot project planned for Delhi and Gujarat.
* **Funding and Investment:**
* The Sahakar Taxi project is promoted by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) with support from seven cooperative organizations.
* Under Section 19 of the MSCS Act, 2002 (amended in 2023), a Multi-State Cooperative Society (MSCS) can promote subsidiary institutions via a resolution passed at a general meeting.
* Section 64 of the MSCS Act, 2002 outlines where a society may invest or deposit its funds, including cooperative banks, government securities, other cooperative societies, and subsidiary institutions.
* **Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS):**
* A total of 1779 MSCS are registered under the MSCS Act, 2002.
* 8 MSCS are registered in Chhattisgarh (list in Annexure III).
Impact Analysis:
* **Cooperative Societies:**
* *Impact:* The policy guides the development and operation of cooperative societies, including platform cooperatives. Amendments to the MSCS Act impact investment options.
* *Action Required:* Societies should review the new National Cooperation Policy, 2025, and the amended MSCS Act, 2002, to align their strategies and operations.
* **Members of Cooperative Societies:**
* *Impact:* Members will benefit from the enhanced services, increased income opportunities, and improved management of cooperative societies.
* *Action Required:* Stay informed about the policy changes and participate in the decision-making processes of their respective societies.
* **National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and Supporting Organizations:**
* *Impact:* NCDC and supporting organizations (IFFCO, NAFED, Amul, KRIBHCO, NDDB, NCEL NABARD) play a key role in promoting and funding cooperative initiatives like the Sahakar Taxi project.
* *Action Required:* Continue to support and promote cooperative projects in line with the National Cooperation Policy, 2025.
* **Government (Ministry of Cooperation):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing and overseeing the National Cooperation Policy, 2025, and ensuring the effective functioning of the cooperative sector.
* *Action Required:* Monitor the progress of the policy implementation and address any challenges that may arise.
* **Youth and Women:**
* *Impact:* The policy aims to involve youth and women in the cooperative movement, providing them with opportunities for skill development and employment in the cooperative sector.
* *Action Required:* Participate in cooperative initiatives and take advantage of skilling and upskilling programs.
Key Entities Referenced
New National Cooperation Policy, 2025: A policy launched by the Ministry of Cooperation to provide a roadmap for the development of the cooperative sector.
Ministry of Cooperation: The Indian government ministry responsible for cooperative societies.
Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002: An Indian law governing the registration and regulation of cooperative societies with operations in more than one state.
Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited: A taxi service cooperative registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, aiming to develop an app-based taxi service.
National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC): An organization promoting the Sahkar Taxi project with support from cooperative organizations.
Chhattisgarh: A state in India where 8 Multi-State Cooperative Societies are registered.
Delhi: A city in India where Sahkar Taxi project pilot is expected to be launched.
Gujarat: A state in India where Sahkar Taxi project pilot is expected to be launched.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COOPERATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4197
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19th AUGUST, 2025
Objectives of National Cooperative Society Policy
†4197. Shri Brijmohan Agrawal
Will the Minister of COOPERATION (सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state:
(a) the main objectives of the new National Cooperative Society Policy along with the details
of the status of its implementation and details of draft policy;
(b) the salient features of the platform-cooperative societies along with those which are in the
development phase and in prototype phase separate and the platforms at national and State level
in the country including Chhattisgarh;
(c) the Government's plan to open up external venture funding in digital platform cooperative
societies;
(d) whether cooperative societies can invest in other private startup companies on the lines of
venture funds, if so, the details thereof and if not, the details of plan to do so in the future; and
(e) the number of multi-State cooperative societies constituted along with the list of such
societies in all States including Chhattisgarh?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION
सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)
(a): The Ministry launched New National Cooperation Policy, 2025 on 24th July, 2025. This
policy provides a roadmap and overarching framework for systematic and all-round
development of the cooperative sector.
The Policy mission is to achieve 16 objectives over the next 10 years, grouped under six
strategic mission pillars which is enclosed at Annexure-I. Further, majority of the policy points
are under implementation.(b): A platform cooperative is a cooperatively owned and democratically governed business
that uses technology to sell products. Based on this and the Principles of “Sahkar se Samridhi”,
a taxi service cooperative, named Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited has been registered under
the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, to develop app based taxi service on a
cooperative model that benefits both driver-members and customers. Rooted in the principles
of cooperation, transparency, and shared ownership, Sahakar Taxi aims to offer a people-
centric alternative to traditional ride-hailing platforms. The app is in the developing stage and
the pilot project is likely to be launched in Delhi and Gujarat.
(c): The project is being promoted by the National Cooperative Development Corporation
(NCDC) with the support of seven leading cooperative organizations: IFFCO, NAFED, Amul,
KRIBHCO, NDDB, NCEL & NABARD, based on the principals of cooperation among
cooperatives.
(d): In accordance with section 19 of the amended Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act,
2002 (amended in 2023), any MSCS may, by a resolution passed at general meeting by a majority
of members present and voting, promote one or more subsidiary institutions, which may be
registered under any law for the time being in force, for the furtherance of its stated objects.
Further, the society may invest or deposit its funds in accordance with section 64 of the
above Act in:- (i) A Co-operative Bank, State Co-operative Bank, cooperative land development
bank or Central Co-operative Bank; (ii) in any of the securities issued by the Central Government,
State Government, Government Corporations, Government Companies, Authorities, Public Sector
Undertakings or any other securities ensured by Government guarantees; (iii) in the shares or
securities of any other Multi-State Co-operative Society or any co-operative Society; (iv) in the
shares, securities and assets of a subsidiary institution or any other institution, in the same line of
business as the Multi-State Co-operative Society; (v) with any other scheduled or nationalized bank;
(vi) in such other manner as may be determined by the Central Government.
(e): A total of 1779 MSCS have been registered under the MSCS Act, 2002 in the country (state-
wise breakup is enclosed at Annexure-II), out of which, 8 MSCS have been registered in state of
Chhattisgarh. Detailed list of the registered societies in state of Chhattisgarh is enclosed at
Annexure-III.
*****Annexure-I
The six strategic mission pillars are as under:
Strengthening the foundation by
1. Creating a conducive legal and regulatory environment through timely reforms to provide
autonomy, promote transparency, ease of doing business, good governance, and provide a
level playing field for cooperatives.
2. Fostering accessible and affordable finance and equal business opportunities akin to other
economic institutions.
3. Enhancing cooperation among cooperatives, strengthening the cooperative structure, and
expanding the geographical reach.
Promoting vibrancy by
4. Promoting the development of a cooperative business ecosystem.
5. Encouraging multi-dimensional expansion, including access to international markets and
increasing members’ income.
Making cooperatives future ready by
6. Enhancing technology adoption for efficient and transparent management.
7. Enabling the transformation of cooperatives into professionally managed economic
entities based on cooperative principles.
Promoting inclusivity and deepening reach by
8. Promoting inclusivity and member centrality, and reaching out to every corner of the
country and the population through the cooperative setup.
9. Promoting cooperatives as a people’s movement, particularly involving youth and women,
to further strengthen the movement.
Entering new and emerging sectors by:
10. Promoting and encouraging the entry of cooperatives in new and emerging sectors.
11. Promoting environment-friendly practices and a circular economy for sustainability.
Shaping Young Generation for Cooperative Growth:
12. Motivating and inspiring youth, especially those in rural and semi-urban areas, to pursue
long-term careers in cooperative enterprises.13. Promoting the development of standardized, high-quality, cooperative-focused courses
and the creation of authoritative content.
14. Promoting an ecosystem for skilling and upskilling of youth and women for employment
in the cooperative sector.
15. Ensuring the availability of cooperative sector practitioners as part-time resource persons,
quality teachers, instructors, trainers, and visiting faculty in sufficient numbers, in the
cooperative sector.
16. Developing an ecosystem that facilitates the ease of hiring of suitable candidates by
cooperatives and simplifies the job search process for potential candidates.Annexure-II
List of registered Multi State Cooperative Societies in different States/Union Territories
in the country under Multi State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.
Number of
S.No State/Union Territory MSCSs
1 Andhra Pradesh 12
2 Arunachal Pradesh 1
3 Assam 6
4 Bihar 25
5 Chandigarh 2
6 Chhattisgarh 8
7 Delhi 168
8 Goa 3
9 Gujarat 54
10 Haryana 24
11 Himachal Pradesh 2
12 Jammu And Kashmir 2
13 Jharkhand 10
14 Karnataka 40
15 Kerala 96
16 Madhya Pradesh 30
17 Maharashtra 714
18 Manipur 4
19 Nagaland 1
20 Odisha 20
21 Puducherry 5
22 Punjab 26
23 Rajasthan 76
24 Sikkim 1
25 Tamil Nadu 143
26 Telangana 26
27 The Dadra And Nagar Haveli And Daman And Diu 1
28 Uttar Pradesh 196
29 Uttarakhand 10
30 West Bengal 73Annexure-III
List of Registered Multi State Cooperative Societies registered in State of Chhattisgarh
under Multi State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.
S. No Society Name Registered Address Sector
1 Amrit Dairy Cooperative C/O D.K. Soni House, Phase 2, Beside Dairy
Society Ltd Maitrichaya Pitrichaya House, Near Sahay Cooperative
Hospital, Priyadarshani Nagar, Raipur
492001, Chhattisgarh
2 Yalsco Saving and Credit Yalsco Building, Riddhi-Siddhi Colony, Credit & Thrift
Coopertive Society Ltd., Dougargaon Road, Rajnandgaon-491441, Society
Chhattisgarh.
3 Om Bhoo Vikas Credit Kadambari nagar, Near Mahima Hospital, Credit & Thrift
Cooperative Society Ltd., Durg, Chhattisgarh-491001 Society
4 PICL Multi-State Credit Shop No.445, 4th Floor, Progressive Point, Credit & Thrift
Cooperative Society Ltd., Dhamtari Road, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- Society
492001
5 Arogya India Multi State Uttarayan Complex, 2nd Floor, Sheetla Credit & Thrift
Members Credit Cooperative Chowk, Danganiya, Raipur-492013, Society
Society Ltd., (Chhattisgarh)
6 Mahakaleshwar Cooperative Plot No 5/4, Nehru Parisar, Nehru Nagar Housing
Housing Society Ltd., Square, Bhilai, Durg 490020 Chhattisgarh Cooperative
Society
7 The P & T Workers Thift 1, Vivekanand Ngar, Shopping Complex, Credit & Thrift
Cooperative Society Limited, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 429001 Society
8 Bhartiya Bahu- Uddeshya 1, Sai Nagar, Raipur Chattisgarh 492001 Multipurpose
Vipnan Sahkari Samiti Ltd., Cooperative