Governance, Policy and Legislation

Cooperatives have historically been the backbone of India’s rural economy, empowering farmers, artisans, workers, women, and weaker sections through collective strength. However, in recent decades, the sector has faced challenges of inefficiency, weak governance, resource constraints, and limited market integration. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Cooperation (MoC), Government of India, has taken bold steps to rejuvenate the cooperative movement by formulating the National Cooperative Policy (NCP)—a landmark initiative aimed at redefining the role of cooperatives in a rapidly transforming economy.

India’s transportation ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation with the rise of app-based mobility services and digital integration of fleets.

The Ministry of Cooperation’s plan to launch a cooperative taxi service, tentatively named “Bharat,” is a significant step towards empowering drivers and providing a more equitable alternative to private ride-hailing giants like Ola and Uber. This model aims to redirect profits back to the drivers, who are also members and owners of the cooperative, rather than to large corporations. While the cooperative model holds immense promise, its success hinges on its ability to navigate several complex issues and challenges, particularly in the highly competitive and technology-driven ride-hailing market.