MAHARASHTRA

About

MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra stands as a prominent state in India, boasting a robust and longstanding cooperative movement. The Commissioner for Cooperation & Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CC & RCS), operating under the Department of Cooperation, Marketing, and Textiles in Pune, holds a pivotal role in overseeing rural finance, PACS, banking (including District Central Cooperative Banks), industrial cooperatives, and housing societies. Under its jurisdiction, the CC & RCS administers key legislations such as the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960 and rules, 1961, the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1963, the Bombay Money-Lenders Act, 1946, and the Bombay Warehousing Act, 1959, along with their respective rules. The legal framework outlined in the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960 covers various aspects, showcasing the government’s commitment to overseeing cooperative activities comprehensively. The overarching vision and mission of cooperatives in Maharashtra are to strengthen the movement by developing financially sound and economically independent institutions. This includes proactive and prompt administration of cooperatives, both rural and urban, aiding them in efficiently achieving common development goals through enhanced delivery of quality services.

Maharashtra boasts an impressive cooperative landscape with 2,22,214 Primary Cooperative Societies, 666 Multi-State Cooperatives, 123 District Federations, and 155 Sugar Mill Federations. Currently, 2,14,851 Societies are functional, while 4,577 are nonfunctional, and 2,786 are under liquidation. There are 5,80,21,309 members in cooperatives in the State, with housing cooperatives covering the majority at 56%, followed by credit and thrift societies at 9%. The credit and thrift societies hold the maximum membership at 2,27,26,948. Notably, 98% and 17% of Gram Panchayats are covered under PACS and Dairy respectively. In addition, 98% of PACS, 44% of dairy cooperatives, and 15% of fishery cooperatives are affiliated with banks, federations, or unions.