On Monday, December 15, 2025, Shri Saumitra Khan asked a question regarding Urban Cooperative Banks. The Minister of Finance was asked to state (a) the number of urban cooperative banks in West Bengal; (b) whether any of these urban cooperative banks are under consideration to be converted into Small Finance Banks (SFBs), if so, the details thereof; and (c) the details of the amount sanctioned by the Government for the cooperative sectors in West Bengal.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, answered that: (a) to (b): As informed by RBI, there are a total of 42 Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) in West Bengal and no application from any of these UCBs has been received by RBI for their transition into Small Finance Banks (SFBs). (c): During the last five years, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has sanctioned an amount of ₹ 46.66 crore for the development of cooperatives in West Bengal.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): India's central bank; regulator for Urban Co-operative Banks and Small Finance Banks mentioned in the document.
Urban Cooperative Banks: These banks are the central subject matter of the question, regarding their number in West Bengal and potential conversion to Small Finance Banks.
West Bengal: The state where the urban cooperative banks are located, making it central to the applicability of the policy.
Small Finance Banks (SFBs): Banks to which Urban Cooperative Banks might be converted.
National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC): An organization that sanctioned funds for cooperative development in West Bengal.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2303
ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 15 DECEMBER, 2025/ 24 AGRAHAYANA, 1947 (SAKA)
Urban Cooperative Banks
2303. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) the number of urban cooperative banks in West Bengal;
(b) whether any of these urban cooperative banks are under consideration to be converted into
Small Finance Banks (SFBs), if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the amount sanctioned by the Government for the cooperative sectors in West
Bengal?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (b): As informed by RBI, there are a total of 42 Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) in
West Bengal and no application from any of these UCBs has been received by RBI for their
transition into Small Finance Banks (SFBs).
(c): During the last five years, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has
sanctioned an amount of ₹ 46.66 crore for the development of cooperatives in West Bengal.
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