Bharat Taxi Launch and Cooperative Expansion in Uttar Pradesh
The Ministry of Cooperation has launched the Bharat Taxi service across five cities in Uttar Pradesh—Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, and Prayagraj—as part of the broader 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' vision. This cooperative mobility model operates on the principle of 'Driver is the Owner,' making drivers (Saarthis) stakeholders rather than mere service providers. Unlike conventional aggregator models that deduct commissions, Bharat Taxi directs earnings directly to drivers' accounts, with over ₹100 crore already credited to Saarthis since its February 2026 launch. The service has attracted more than 10 lakh driver-partners nationwide, completing approximately 20,000 daily rides, and has enrolled around 40 lakh passengers. Memoranda of Understanding were signed with Airport Authority, Lucknow Metro Rail, and Lucknow Police to facilitate operations.
Broader Cooperative Sector Initiatives
The Ministry of Cooperation has launched over 160 new initiatives in the past five years to modernize and expand India's cooperative sector, which includes 8.5 lakh cooperative societies with 32 crore members. A key project involves the computerization of approximately 80,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) at a cost of ₹3,000 crore, enabling them to engage in more than 25 economic activities beyond traditional roles, such as foodgrain storage, insurance, and fuel distribution. National-level multi-State cooperatives like Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (seeds), National Cooperative Organics Limited (organic products), and National Cooperative Exports Limited (exports) have been established, with 70,000 societies already associated.
Uttar Pradesh's Cooperative Achievements
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a model for cooperative expansion, enrolling 54 lakh new members—including 17.5 lakh farmers—through its membership campaign, generating ₹75 crore for the sector. The state is computerizing 6,300 PACS in three phases and 750 agricultural and rural cooperative bank units. Since April 2026, over 1,200 new cooperative societies (M-PACS, dairy, fisheries) have been formed, adding one lakh members, while existing societies enrolled 22 lakh new members. Additionally, 16 District Cooperative Banks were revived with ₹307 crore assistance, and the Uttar Pradesh State Cooperative Bank became the first cooperative bank authorized to issue and update Aadhaar cards. PACS in the state now operate 5,200 Common Service Centres, 7,000 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, and 161 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
Financial and Institutional Support
The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has significantly increased financial support, with assistance growing from ₹45,000 crore (1963–2014) to nearly ₹4.5 lakh crore in the last 12 years. Efforts are underway to establish a Cooperative College in Uttar Pradesh and Tribhuvan Sahkari University to develop trained human resources for the sector. Under White Revolution 2.0, milk production capacity is targeted to increase by 40%.
Supplementary Launches
During the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the 'Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana' portal, the Urvarak Setu mobile app (developed by the Uttar Pradesh Cooperation Department), and the UPCDC mobile app for the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Database Centre.