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PIB Summaries 10 August 2024

  1. Kasturi Cotton Bharat Programme
  2. Nandini Sahakar Yojana


Context:

The Kasturi Cotton Bharat programme of the Ministry of Textiles is a pioneering effort in traceability, certification and branding of Indian cotton.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Intervention

Kasturi Cotton Bharat Initiative:

  • The Kasturi Cotton Bharat program, initiated by the Ministry of Textiles, is focused on improving the traceability, certification, and branding of Indian cotton.
  • This initiative is a joint effort between the Government of India, specifically the Cotton Corporation of India, along with various trade organizations and industry stakeholders, to enhance the traceability and certification processes of cotton.
  • A specialized microsite featuring QR code verification and a blockchain platform has been established to ensure comprehensive traceability and secure transaction certification.
  • The program receives national-level funding and is promoted globally, rather than being restricted to specific states.
Implementation and Impact:
  • The initiative has successfully registered approximately 343 modernized ginning and pressing units, with 15 of these units located in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Notably, about 100 cotton bales from Andhra Pradesh have achieved certification under the Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand.
  • Cotton, a crucial agricultural commodity in India, accounts for 25% of the global cotton production and is often referred to as “White-Gold” due to its significant economic importance. It is ideally suited for growth in hot, sunny environments and diverse soil conditions, although it is prone to damage from waterlogging.


Context:

Recently, the Minister of Cooperation informed the Rajya Sabha about the Nandini Sahakar Scheme.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Intervention

Nandini Sahakar Yojana:

  • The Nandini Sahakar Yojana is designed to support women cooperatives in initiating business model-based activities under the oversight of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
  • The program centers on women, offering a structured approach to financial aid, project planning, mentoring, and enhancing capacities.
Financial Framework:
  • The scheme does not stipulate a minimum or maximum financial limit for projects undertaken by women’s cooperatives.
  • Interest Subvention: Offers a 2% reduction on the interest rate for term loans on new and innovative initiatives and 1% on other activities, thereby reducing the cost of borrowing for women-led cooperatives.
Eligibility Criteria:
  • Cooperatives must be operational for at least three months to qualify for assistance, which is provided as credit linkage for infrastructure term loans.
  • Eligible cooperatives must be officially registered as women cooperatives with at least 50% of membership comprising women, under any State or Central Act.
Significance and Impact:
  • Aims to uplift the socio-economic conditions of women by fostering entrepreneurial skills and financial independence through cooperatives.
  • Enhances the capabilities of women’s enterprises by integrating essential components such as business planning, capacity building, credit facilities, and the benefits of other subsidy and interest subvention schemes.

September 2025
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