By Vineet Nahata
The Uttar Pradesh State Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna during the Mahakumbh, underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector.
Three new schemes, with a total allocation of Rs 16 crore, have been introduced: Rs 5 crore for International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 programs, Rs 10 crore for technology upgrades and cybersecurity for UP State Cooperative Bank and District Central Cooperative banks, and Rs 1 crore for constructing two new district cooperative banks in Balrampur and Gonda.
A significant Rs 647.27 crore has been earmarked for PACS computerization and financial support to agricultural PACS. Additionally, Rs 55 crore has been allocated for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s initiative to provide easy credit facilities to B-PACS for agrochemical and fertilizer procurement, including Nano Urea.
A further Rs 170 crore has been assigned for preemptive warehousing of agrochemicals, ensuring efficient storage and distribution.
To promote sustainable agriculture, Rs 10 crore has been dedicated to the Cooperative Warehousing Scheme, supporting eco-friendly next-generation farming practices through the cooperative system, aligning with the government’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitment.
Women empowerment is another focus area, with Rs 1 crore allocated for training rural women in specialized drone technology, opening new avenues for skill development and employment.
To streamline governance, Rs 10 crore has been allocated for a centralized database of all cooperative societies in Uttar Pradesh. This initiative will enhance the implementation and monitoring of the Sahkar Se Samriddhi scheme at the grassroots level.
While the budget acknowledges the importance of research and development in the cooperative sector, experts suggest increasing allocations to ICCMRT to maximize impact.
The budget recognizes the cooperative sector as a crucial driver of rural GDP growth, aligning with the Viksit Bharat mission. The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
This highlights cooperatives as key players in addressing socio-economic challenges and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Cooperative Minister JPS Rathore have dedicated 2025 to celebrating cooperatives under Sahkarita Mahakumbh, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the sector and its role in economic and social development.
(Author is Chairman of Task Force on Co-operative Development of PHDCCI)
