NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE COOPERATIVE BANKS (NAFSCOB) J.K. CHAMBERS, PLOT NO. 76, SECTOR-17, VASHI, NAVI MUMBAI 400 703, INDIA Phone: 91-22-27892741/27892697/27892738. Fax: 91-22-27892604 E-mail: nafscob@nafscob.org/ nafscob@gmail.com Website: http://www.nafscob.org 1
Efficient Responses to Sustainable Impacts: Social Cohesion, Solidarity and Inclusion BY BHIMA SUBRAHMANYAM Managing Director NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE COOPERATIVE BANKS (NAFSCOB) J.K. CHAMBERS, PLOT NO. 76, SECTOR-17, VASHI, NAVI MUMBAI 400 703, INDIA Phone: 91-22-27892741/27892697/27892738. Fax: 91-22-27892604 E-mail: nafscob@nafscob.org Website: http://www.nafscob.org 2
Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Background: SSE is a concept that refers to enterprises and organizations, in particular cooperatives, mutual benefit societies, associations, foundations and social enterprises, which specifically produce goods, services and knowledge while pursuing economic and social aims and fostering solidarity. SSE includes social finance/banking, micro finance, Joint liability Groups (JLGs), Farmers Clubs and recently Financial Inclusion (FI) drive specifically in India. Aftermath of financial sector reforms, various agencies involved in SSE made remarkable achievements. Cooperative Credit Institutions (CCIs) as a part of rural cooperative credit delivery system are playing a very pivotal role by serving underprivileged rural poor including marginal, small farmers, rural artisans and also urban population. Thus, CCIs are doing social banking since their inception in India. 3
Services Provided by SCBs/DCCBs/PACS- Towards Sustainable Development i) Banking, (ii) Agriculture, (iii) Fertiliser, (iv) Small Scale Industrial Units, (v) Poultry, (vi) Sheep & Goat Rearing, (vii) Rural Artisans, (viii) Consumer durables, (ix) Non-farm sector, (x) Kisan Credit Cards, (xi) Handloom, (xii) Public Distribution System, (xiii) Sericulture, (xiv) Dairying, (xv) Bio Gas Plants, (xvi) Housing, (xvii) Professional Education, (xviii) Cash Credit Accommodation, (xix) Others.» Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Cooperatives: As a part of CSR, a number of schemes have been designed and formulated and the cooperatives as a part of CSR assume appropriate responsibility in addressing the issues towards removal of poverty.» Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) How Efficient CCIs Responding: Public Agenda Contributes & Responds 4
SDGs: (i) no poverty, (ii) zero hunger, (iii) good health and well-being, (iv) quality education, (v) gender equality, (vi) clean water and sanitation, (vii) affordable and clean energy, (viii) decent work and economic growth, (ix) industry, innovation and infrastructure, (x) reduced inequalities, (xi) sustainable cities and communities, (xii) responsible consumption and production, (xiii) climate action, (xiv) life below water, (xv) life on land, (xvi) peace, justice and strong institutions and (xvii) partnerships for the goals. Cooperative Credit Institution (CCI) - Contribution: Low-cost/affordable finance, - Providing easy access and availability of finance - Facilitating supply of quality seeds and fertilizers/pesticides - Offer insurance coverage - Provide education loans - Participate in Financials Literacy campaign - Women empowerment Clean water supply - Promotion of Usage of Solar Energy - Proving long and short term finance - facilitates uninterrupted supply of food/grains/vegetables. Strengths of CCIs towards Sustainable Development: More than 100 years old, Democratic/Autonomous, 100% Outreach- Member Participation, Resource Mobilisation, Strong balancing centre, Innovative approaches - Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity - Cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others - Cooperatives are local based institutions with an inbuilt system of participation of members -promote the economic interests of the members 5
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) CCIs Vs non-sses Cooperative Credit Institutions (CCIs) are member initiatives functioning on the principle of democratic management. They are functioning at grassroots level. Members actively participate in all type activities including CSR. CCIs formed by its members and they are working for betterment of members. Thus, CCIs respond to needs of its members. Financial literacy campaign, women empowerment, organic farming and solar energy etc. are also important activities of CCIs. Services of CCIs reach its members effectively with the initiatives and support of GoI Financial Inclusion, Self Help Groups, Social Security Schemes viz., Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Suraksha BimaYojana Policy (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
Social Banking/Finance: Social banking/finance is referred to dealing with finance which delivers a social dividend and an economic return. It includes community investing, microfinance, social impact bonds, sustainable business, social enterprise lending and recently financial inclusion. Initiatives taken towards Social Banking in India: i. Microfinance, (II) Financial Inclusion, (III) RuPay KCC and RuPay Debit Cards, (IV) Farmers Club Programme, (V) Financing of Joint Liability Groups, (VI) Implementation of Aadhar Payment Bridge (APB), (VII) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), (VIII) Cooperatives and Food Security and (IX) Cooperatives and Climate Change. CCIs Different from Classical Finance Providers CCIs are different from other types of finance providers as their main objectives are to serve its members. They are service oriented rather than profit motive. They are owned by members. CCIs are functioning on the following cooperative principles: (i) Voluntary and Open Membership. (ii) Democratic Member Control, (iii) Member Economic Participation, (iv) Autonomy and Independence, (v) Education, Training and Information, (vi) Co-operation among Co-operatives and (vii) Concern for Community. 7
The Success Factors: Service of CCIs spread to all areas including remote and hilly areas in India. Women empowerment Members active participation Income creation and livelihood support to poor and underprivileged people. The Pitfalls to avoid: Dual control Govt. interference Proposal of delayering. The extent to which what CCIs do can be replicated: Participation in Social Security Schemes of GoI. Participation in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Corporate Governance Adoption of CSR models of Corporate sector How to Scale it Up?: Adoption of professionalism Diversification of portfolio Increase in profitability Update with technology Human Resource Development 8
Social Taboos: Lack of awareness among people in rural areas about banking. Gender bias Income discrimination Illiteracy Financial exclusion Psychological, cultural as well as religious barriers Cooperatives have the capability to ensure: Stable and reliable ICT to ensure speedy and efficient execution of social banking. Introduce product innovations in the area of social banking to cover the poor and the financial excluded. Implementation of policy compulsions on social banking. Effective monitoring mechanism at all levels. Database/update about status of social banking. Non gender bias. Support to people of low income groups in the social banking. Financial service to all. Legal identity, Improved literacy, Enhanced affordability. 9
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