The cooperatives in India - A journey over more than 100 years

The cooperatives is one of primarily, autonomous, economic institutions of user members united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Even before formal cooperative structures came into being through the passing of a law, the practice of the concept of cooperation and cooperative activities were prevalent in several parts of India. Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904 was the first Incorporation in India related to the cooperatives. Over the years the cooperatives have grown to a mammoth institution which supports and influences the lives of millions of people in India. The following paper provides an idea about how this grass root movement has evolved over the years.