Why in news
- Union Ministry of Cooperation launched new women-centric cooperative initiatives, including the She-Mart retail network, in Kollam, Kerala.
Key terms
Cooperative retail outlet platform designed to market products made by women self-help groups and local entrepreneurs.
National strategy to strengthen the cooperative movement through modernization, diversification, and rural credit integration.
Village-level grassroots cooperative credit institutions providing short-term agricultural loans to farmers.
Constitutional governance framework where Union and States collaborate in economic development and legislative execution.
What is the She-Mart Initiative?
- A retail enterprise network managed through cooperative societies aimed at marketing products manufactured by women self-help groups and primary cooperatives.
- Designed to integrate local women entrepreneurs into rural supply chains and formal credit architecture.
Cooperative Framework under Ministry of Cooperation
- Complements national efforts under 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' to computerise Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and diversify their operations.
- Leverages the historical cooperative base of regions like Travancore, Kochi, and Malabar in Kerala to scale community-driven enterprise.
Why it matters
- Promotes rural economic decentralisation and economic agency among rural women.
- Strengthens the multi-purpose functionality of primary level cooperative institutions.
Prelims facts
- Cooperation is a subject under the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Mains discussion
- Role of cooperatives in advancing rural women-led development and financial inclusion.
Source: PIB
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
-
2020 · Q61 · General Studies · 2 marks
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? 1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops. 2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies 3. Social Capital development -
2015 · Q2 · GS II · 12 marks
The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings. -
2021 · Q5 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to 'Urban Cooperative banks' in India consider the following statements: 1. They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments. 2. They can issue equity shares and preference shares. 3. They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2020 · Q59 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks. 2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agriculture Credit Societies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2023 · Q12 · GS III · 15 marks
Distinguish between 'care economy' and 'monetized economy'. How can care economy be brought into monetized economy through women empowerment?