Delay in Granting Permission to Multi-State Cooperative Societies

The Ministry of Cooperation reports that between 2022 and 2026, 76 applications for branch‑opening permission were received from Multi‑State Cooperative Societies (MSCSs). Of these, 24 were approved and 16 rejected, while deficiencies were identified in 36 applications, which were sent back to the societies. The Multi‑State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 does not prescribe a statutory timeline for disposing of such applications. To enhance transparency, an online ‘CRCS office portal’ for granting branch‑opening permissions has been launched. This information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, in a written reply in Lok Sabha.