Cooperatives in India
I. Definition & Concept
Art. 43B + State List Entry
- Definition: Autonomous voluntary association for common economic/social/cultural needs via jointly-owned, democratically-controlled enterprises.
- Constitutional Status:
- State Subject (Entry 32, List II of 7th Schedule).
- **97th CAA (2011)**1. Inserted Part IXB to regulate cooperatives 2. Article 19(1)(c): Includes "cooperatives" in right to form associations.
- Article 43B (DPSP): State to promote cooperatives. .
II. Cooperative Banks
- Type: Credit cooperatives (e.g., Urban Co-op Banks, State Co-op Banks).
- Legal Framework:
- Registered under State Cooperative Societies Act.
- Regulated by RBI under Banking Regulation Act, 1949 & Banking Laws (Co-op Societies) Act, 1955.
III. Amul & White Revolution
- Amul (Anand Milk Union Ltd.):
- Founded in 1946 (Kaira Dist., Gujarat) on advice of Sardar Patel; led by Tribhuvan Das Patel.
- Producer-Marketing Cooperative → Empowered dairy farmers.
- White Revolution (1970s):
- Led by Dr. Verghese Kurien ("Father of White Revolution").
- NDDB (1965): Replicated Amul model via Operation Flood.
- Impact: India → World’s largest milk producer (>World per capita availability).
**IV. Recent Updates **
- Union Cooperation Ministry (July 2021): First dedicated ministry for cooperatives.
- 4th Foundation Day (2025): Celebrated at Amul HQ (Anand, Gujarat) 6th july
- Targets 2025:
- Cooperative Bank + Milk Producers’ Union in every district within 5 years. .
- **UPSC PYQ **:
- 2021 Prelims: Q on 97th CAA’s subject (Ans: Cooperatives).
- 2019 Mains: "How has the White Revolution assisted in poverty reduction?"