Panel orders first comprehensive study to reform Delhi's cooperative sector
NABARD approves Delhi's first comprehensive cooperative sector study to identify reforms, strengthen governance, boost digitisation and revive financial performance
 "Panel orders first comprehensive study to reform Delhi's cooperative sector")
A high-level meeting on short-term cooperative credit institutions held on July 31 approved the first-ever comprehensive diagnostic study of Delhi’s cooperative sector. The meeting chaired by Pandurang K. Pole, secretary (Cooperation), Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, expressed concern over the prolonged stagnation in key financial and business parameters of institutions such as Delhi State Cooperative Bank.
The study will be undertaken by Nabcons (Nabard Consultancy Services), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nabard (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). According to an official statement, the assessment will fill a critical knowledge gap and provide an evidence-based road map for policy reforms, sectoral revitalisation, and long-term sustainability.
The committee warned that continuation of current trends in Delhi State Cooperative Banks could impact its long-term relevance and competitiveness. It further stressed that a “business-as-usual” approach was no longer viable and called for reforms centred on business expansion, customer acquisition, digital transformation, innovation, and improved customer service.
The committee also emphasised the need to accelerate reforms in governance, regulatory compliance, capacity building, and digitisation.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Registrar Cooperative Societies, Delhi State Cooperative Bank, Nabard, Nabcons, and several urban cooperative banks.
While urban cooperative banks are regulated separately under the RBI-led task force for urban cooperative banks (TAFCUB), the committee said their participation as special invitees would enable a more holistic assessment of Delhi’s cooperative ecosystem and facilitate coordinated policy interventions.
The committee added that Nabard’s comprehensive assessment would help shape future reforms aimed at revitalising Delhi’s cooperative credit institutions and improving their operational efficiency and competitiveness.