What happened: Lok Sabha reply on MSCS branch-opening permission delays

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah stated in a written Lok Sabha reply that Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCSs) face delays in getting permission for branch openings. The reply links delays to deficiency-checking in applications and to the absence of a statutory disposal timeline in the governing law.

Government-reported year-wise counts of applications for branch-opening permission (MSCSs) are:

2022: 3 applications received; 2 approved; 1 rejected2023: 16 applications received; 5 approved; 7 rejected2024: 13 applications received; 4 approved; 2 rejected2025: 29 applications received; 8 approved; 2 rejected2026: 15 applications received; 5 approved; 4 rejected

Total (2022–2026): 76 applications received, 24 approved, and 16 rejected.

After examination, deficiencies found in applications for 36 MSCSs were sent to the respective societies.