NCDC Unveils 'Yuva Sahakar' Scheme to Empower Youth Cooperative Ventures
The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has launched a new scheme to provide financial and training support to young entrepreneurs establishing cooperative enterprises.
Photo by Dibakar Roy
Quick Revision
Scheme name: Yuva Sahakar - Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme
Launched by: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
Target beneficiaries: Youth-led cooperative enterprises
Focus areas: Agriculture, food processing, digital services, and other allied sectors
Visual Insights
Evolution of Cooperative Support & 'Yuva Sahakar' Launch
This timeline illustrates the key legislative and institutional developments in India's cooperative sector, culminating in the launch of the 'Yuva Sahakar' scheme. It highlights the government's sustained focus on strengthening cooperatives and promoting youth entrepreneurship.
The cooperative movement in India has a rich history, evolving from a credit-focused initiative to a multi-sectoral socio-economic force. Institutional support like NCDC and constitutional recognition have been crucial. The recent formation of the Ministry of Cooperation and schemes like 'Yuva Sahakar' signify a renewed government push to leverage cooperatives for inclusive growth and youth empowerment.
- 1904Cooperative Credit Societies Act enacted (Formal beginning of cooperative movement in India)
- 1963National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) established under NCDC Act, 1963
- 2002Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 enacted (Modernized framework for multi-state co-ops)
- 201197th Constitutional Amendment Act (Granted constitutional status to cooperatives - Art 43B, Part IXB)
- 2021Ministry of Cooperation formed (Dedicated ministry to strengthen cooperative movement)
- 2021-Present'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' vision & focus on professionalization, computerization of PACS
- RecentNCDC Unveils 'Yuva Sahakar' Scheme (Current News)
Exam Angles
Constitutional provisions related to cooperatives (Article 19(1)(c), Article 43B, Part IXB)
Role of cooperatives in rural development, employment generation, and poverty alleviation
Challenges faced by the cooperative sector in India
Government schemes and initiatives for promoting cooperatives (e.g., Yuva Sahakar, Ministry of Cooperation)
Economic significance of cooperatives in specific sectors (e.g., AMUL, IFFCO)
Comparison of cooperative model with other business models
View Detailed Summary
Summary
The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has introduced the 'Yuva Sahakar - Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme'. This initiative is designed to encourage and support young individuals in forming and managing cooperative businesses. The scheme offers crucial financial assistance and training, with a particular focus on sectors like agriculture, food processing, and digital services.
Essentially, it aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the cooperative sector, making it easier for youth to access the necessary funding and expertise for their ventures. This move is part of the government's broader strategy to strengthen the cooperative movement and generate employment opportunities across the country.
Background
The cooperative movement in India has a rich history, formally beginning with the Cooperative Credit Societies Act of 1904. It has evolved significantly, gaining constitutional status through the 97th Amendment Act of 2011.
Cooperatives play a crucial role in various sectors like agriculture, dairy, housing, and credit, aiming for inclusive growth and socio-economic development based on principles of self-help and mutual aid. However, the movement has also faced challenges such as political interference, lack of professional management, and financial constraints.
Latest Developments
The government has renewed its focus on strengthening the cooperative sector, notably by establishing a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation in 2021. This ministry aims to provide a separate administrative, legal, and policy framework to deepen the cooperative movement.
The 'Yuva Sahakar' scheme, launched by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), is a recent initiative under this broader strategy. It specifically targets youth to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the cooperative framework, particularly in emerging sectors like digital services, alongside traditional ones like agriculture and food processing.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Yuva Sahakar' scheme: 1. The scheme is launched by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to support youth in forming cooperative businesses. 2. It primarily focuses on providing financial assistance and training in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and digital services. 3. NCDC operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct as per the news summary. The 'Yuva Sahakar' scheme is indeed launched by NCDC to encourage and support young individuals in forming and managing cooperative businesses. Statement 2 is also correct, as the scheme offers financial assistance and training with a particular focus on sectors like agriculture, food processing, and digital services. Statement 3 is incorrect. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Cooperation, which was established in 2021, not the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
2. With reference to the cooperative movement in India, consider the following statements: 1. The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 gave constitutional status and protection to cooperative societies. 2. Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution guarantees the right to form cooperative societies as a fundamental right. 3. The Ministry of Cooperation was established in 2021 with the objective of strengthening the cooperative movement and realizing the vision of 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct. The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011, inserted Part IXB into the Constitution, dealing with cooperative societies, giving them constitutional status and protection. Statement 2 is correct. The 97th Amendment also amended Article 19(1)(c) to include 'cooperative societies' after 'unions or associations', thereby guaranteeing the right to form cooperative societies as a fundamental right. Statement 3 is correct. The Ministry of Cooperation was indeed established in July 2021 with a mandate to strengthen the cooperative movement and realize the vision of 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation).
3. In the context of the evolution and regulation of the cooperative movement in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The first formal Cooperative Societies Act in India was enacted in 1904, primarily to address rural credit needs.
- B.Under the Government of India Act, 1919, 'cooperative societies' became a provincial subject.
- C.Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) are regulated by specific central legislation, distinct from state cooperative laws.
- D.The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011, made it mandatory for states to promote the formation of autonomous cooperative societies.
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement A is correct. The Cooperative Credit Societies Act of 1904 was the first formal legislation to promote cooperative societies in British India, primarily to address rural indebtedness. Statement B is correct. The Government of India Act, 1919, transferred the subject of 'cooperative societies' to the provincial list, giving provinces more autonomy in their regulation. Statement C is correct. Multi-State Cooperative Societies are governed by the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, which is a central legislation, while state-level cooperatives are governed by respective state cooperative societies acts. Statement D is NOT correct. The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011, inserted Article 43B into the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which states that the State shall endeavor to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of cooperative societies. DPSP are fundamental in the governance of the country but are not directly enforceable or mandatory in the same way as fundamental rights or other constitutional provisions. Thus, it 'endeavors' or 'promotes', rather than making it 'mandatory'.