Under CM Bhajanlal Sharma’s Leadership, Rajasthan Government Empowers Marginalized Communities through Cooperative Reforms

Interest-free crop loans to over 75 lakh farmers; major boost to cooperative societies and rural development

Jaipur : The Rajasthan Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, is making impactful strides toward empowering the weaker sections of society through its “Prosperity through Cooperation” vision. The Cooperative Department has achieved notable successes, delivering significant benefits to the general public through its wide-ranging schemes.

Recognizing the vital role of cooperatives in fulfilling the Antyodaya (upliftment of the last person) mission, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. In alignment with this, the Rajasthan government is committed to fostering inclusive growth through cooperative initiatives.

Since the formation of the new government till June 30, 2025, interest-free short-term crop loans worth ₹42,131 crore have been disbursed to 75.52 lakh farmers via central cooperative banks. For FY 2025–26, the state budget has allocated funds to distribute ₹25,000 crore in short-term loans to 35 lakh farmers. Additionally, over ₹805 crore in medium-term loans and ₹232 crore in long-term loans were distributed through the Rajasthan State Cooperative Bank and Primary Land Development Banks.

The government has also aggressively expanded the network of cooperative societies. As of June 2025, 216 new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), 97 new LAMPS, and 313 new Village Service Cooperative Societies have been established. The 2025–26 state budget provides for setting up cooperative societies in all remaining gram panchayats, for which rules have been relaxed. During this period, 412 Custom Hiring Centers have been set up, and 212 new warehouses constructed at an expenditure of nearly ₹28 crore.

In a move to strengthen farmers and livestock rearers, the government introduced several new schemes. Under the Chief Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, an additional ₹2,000 is provided annually to PM-Kisan beneficiaries. On June 30, 2024, over 65 lakh farmers received a first installment of ₹1,000 via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), totaling ₹653 crore. The second and third installments were disbursed to 70.21 lakh farmers, amounting to ₹702.18 crore. From FY 2025–26, the annual aid under this scheme has been increased to ₹3,000 per farmer.

To support dairy-related activities, the government launched the Rajasthan Cooperative Gopal Credit Card Loan Scheme, providing up to ₹1 lakh interest-free short-term loans to cattle-rearing families for building sheds, purchasing equipment, and related needs.

Additionally, the Chief Minister’s One-Time Settlement Interest Relief Scheme 2025–26 has been launched with a budget of ₹200 crore to assist farmers and small entrepreneurs with outstanding loans from cooperative land development banks. The scheme allows 100% interest waiver upon repayment of the principal, with the government bearing the entire interest and recovery charges. As of June 30, 4,882 borrowers have benefited from over ₹81 crore in relief, while partial recovery of ₹13.83 crore has been made from 2,544 borrowers.

Through these initiatives, the Rajasthan Government is setting a strong example of inclusive, transparent, and farmer-centric governance, bringing sustainable prosperity to its rural and marginalized communities.