Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stated that National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has provided a total financial assistance of Rs 3,099.33 crore to women cooperatives over the last three years, according to official data.
The year-wise disbursement stands at Rs 1,437.24 crore in 2022-23, Rs 711.55 crore in 2023-24, and Rs 950.54 crore in 2024-25 (till March 18, 2025). The financial support has played a crucial role in empowering women cooperatives and strengthening their operations.
Additionally, NCDC has disbursed Rs 2.369 crore for infrastructure projects in women cooperatives. This includes Rs 1.101 crore in 2022-23, Rs 1.179 crore in 2023-24, and Rs 0.089 crore in 2024-25 (till March 18, 2025).
Additionally, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, stated that the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has disbursed a loan of Rs 549.54 crore under the Margin Money Loan Scheme to meet the working capital needs of cooperative sugar factories in Maharashtra.
The loan amount was determined based on the analysis and recommendations of the Cooperation, Marketing, and Textile Department of the Maharashtra government.
The funds have been allocated to six Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs) in the state, namely Bhima Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Takali, Solapur; Karmayogi Shankarraoji Patil SSK Ltd., Indapur, Pune; Nira Bhima Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Indapur, Pune; Shree Rameshwar Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Raosahebnagar, Jalna; Shetkari Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Killari, Ausa, Latur; and Shri Shankar Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Sadashivnagar, Solapur.
The Maharashtra government considered several factors while finalizing the loan amount, including pending sugarcane bills, harvesting and transport expenses, salaries and wages, machinery repairs and maintenance, and outstanding trader dues.
To ensure proper utilization of funds, NCDC representatives visit the sugar mill societies every six months to monitor their financial and operational status. In case of any violation of terms, NCDC reserves the right to foreclose the loan and recover the entire amount along with interest.
With the loan assistance, the CSMs can now clear their pending and current sugarcane bills to farmers, as well as manage their operational expenses. This will facilitate timely cane payments, ensuring sufficient sugarcane availability for crushing, thereby improving productivity and efficiency.
The improved financial condition of these sugar mills is expected to benefit farmers by enabling them to receive better sugarcane prices. This, in turn, will help them enhance their farming infrastructure and practices, boosting overall agricultural development in the region.
