Central Sector Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (CSISAC)

The Central Sector Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (CSISAC) is a scheme of the Government of India for the development of cooperatives in the country. The scheme was launched in 2012-13 and is being implemented from the 12th Plan period. It is the result of the merger of two erstwhile schemes, namely, Restructured Central Sector Scheme for Assistance to NCDC Programmes for Development of Cooperatives and the Central Sector Scheme for Cooperative Education and Training.

Objectives of CSISAC

The objectives of CSISAC are as follows:

1. To develop an institutional framework at the national level for the promotion and growth of cooperatives;

 

2. To provide financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territories/Cooperative Unions/Federations and apex-level primary cooperative societies for taking up various promotional and developmental activities;

 

3. To provide financial assistance to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for taking up various promotional and developmental activities related to cooperatives;

 

4. To provide financial assistance for capacity building of human resources engaged in the cooperative sector;

 

5. To provide financial assistance for carrying out research, evaluation and studies on various aspects of cooperatives;

 

6. Any other activity which contributes to the promotion and development of cooperatives in the country.

Scope of the Scheme

The scheme covers all States/Union Territories in the country. It is implemented through State Governments/Union Territories, NCDC, State Cooperative Unions/Federations and apex-level primary cooperative societies.

Financing Pattern

The scheme is implemented with financial assistance from the Government of India. The pattern of sharing of expenditure between the Centre and States/Union Territories is as follows:

 

1. For promotional and developmental activities undertaken by State Governments/Union Territories, NCDC, State Cooperative Unions/Federations and apex-level primary cooperative societies, the cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and States/Union Territories is 75:25. However, in the case of North Eastern Region and Sikkim, the cost-sharing ratio is 90:10;

 

2. For capacity-building activities undertaken by NCDC, State Cooperative Unions/Federations and apex-level primary cooperative societies, the cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and States/Union Territories is 50:50;
3. For research, evaluation and studies undertaken by NCDC and State Cooperative Unions/Federations, the cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and States/Union Territories is 75:25.

Implementation Arrangements

The Joint Secretary (Cooperation), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare heads an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) that monitors the scheme. To convert it to active voice, we can rephrase it as “The Joint Secretary (Cooperation), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare heads an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) that monitors the scheme.

Scheme Evaluation

An independent agency conducts an evaluation of the scheme every three years. The findings and recommendations of the evaluation are placed before the IMG for review and follow-up action.

The Bottomline

CSISAC is a scheme that will help in the development of cooperatives and cooperative education and training. The scheme will provide assistance to NCDC programmes for the development of cooperatives. If you are looking for assistance in developing your cooperative, then this is the scheme for you.