The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has approved a first-ever comprehensive diagnostic study of Delhi's cooperative sector to be conducted by NABCONS. According to reports from Business Standard, this initiative comes as a response to serious concerns over prolonged stagnation in key financial and business parameters of institutions such as the Delhi State Cooperative Bank. The study will be conducted by NABCONS, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of NABARD that provides consultancy and advisory services with special focus on agriculture, food processing, rural infrastructure, and banking sectors.
The High-Level Committee on short-term cooperative credit institutions in Delhi, chaired by Pandurang K Pole, secretary (cooperation), has emphasized that a 'business-as-usual' approach is no longer viable. As reported by Business Standard, the committee warned that continuation of current trends at the Delhi State Cooperative Bank could undermine its long-term relevance and competitiveness. The study aims to identify reforms centered on business expansion, customer acquisition, digital transformation, innovation and improved customer service. The committee also stressed the need to accelerate reforms in governance, regulatory compliance, capacity building and digitisation.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Reserve Bank of India, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, the Delhi State Cooperative Bank, NABARD, NABCONS and several urban cooperative banks. According to Business Standard, while urban cooperative banks are regulated separately under the RBI-led Task Force for Urban Cooperative Banks (TAFCUB), their participation as special invitees will enable a more holistic assessment of Delhi's cooperative ecosystem and facilitate coordinated policy interventions. The study is expected to fill a critical knowledge gap and provide an evidence-based roadmap for policy reforms, sectoral revitalisation and long-term sustainability.
