This information was shared by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the government’s continued focus on cooperative-led inclusive development.
Yuva Sahakar Scheme: Encouraging New Ideas
The Yuva Sahakar Scheme has been designed to promote newly formed cooperative societies led by young entrepreneurs. It specifically targets cooperatives with innovative or non-traditional business ideas, offering them access to affordable institutional finance.
During the financial year 2022–23, financial assistance worth ₹24.75 lakh was released to cooperatives in Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, benefiting 354 members. The following year saw a significant rise, with ₹136.31 lakh extended to cooperatives across Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
In the ongoing financial year 2024–25, assistance under the scheme increased further to ₹165.91 lakh, reaching over 11,000 beneficiary members across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This upward trend reflects growing youth participation in the cooperative sector.
Swayamshakti Sahakar Scheme: Empowering Women Collectives
The Swayamshakti Sahakar Scheme focuses on improving access to affordable and reliable financial services for women, particularly through Self Help Groups (SHGs). The scheme supports collective socio-economic activities and promotes sustainable livelihood opportunities.
In 2022–23, financial assistance of ₹1,000 crore was released in Andhra Pradesh alone, benefiting over 2.3 lakh women members. The scheme expanded further in 2023–24, with ₹756.11 crore disbursed across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
In 2024–25, assistance rose sharply to ₹1,754.60 crore, benefiting over 3.15 lakh members. Kerala and Andhra Pradesh accounted for the largest share, demonstrating the scheme’s role in strengthening women-led cooperatives in multiple states.
Strengthening Cooperative Ecosystem
The Ministry of Cooperation views both schemes as critical instruments for building resilient cooperative institutions. By offering concessional finance and institutional backing, the government aims to reduce dependency on informal credit and enhance the economic sustainability of cooperatives.
The initiatives also complement broader reforms in the cooperative sector, including digitisation, transparency measures, and capacity building. According to official sources, NCDC continues to monitor implementation to ensure effective utilisation of funds.
