What not in the evolution path of this bank- the distress of farmers in Pre-Independence days, wound of partition of India and the impact of reorganization of states after Independence. February, 1918 a Cooperative society in the name of “Bengal Provincial Cooperative Federation Ltd.” was registered under Cooperative Societies Act – II of 1912. The primary object of the Federation was to supply su
fficient capital to the member Central Cooperative Bank so that they can assist and develop the farmer-members of Primary Societies. The area of operation of the Federation extended over whole of the then Bengal. The Federation was converted into Bankand named “The Bengal Provincial Cooperative Bank Ltd” in 1923. After Partition of India the name of the Bank was changed to The West Bengal Provincial Cooperative Bank Ltd. Another historic event came in the evolution of the Bank _ provinces were converted into states and the name of the Bank was then changed to The West Bengal State Cooperative Bank Ltd. On 2nd July 1966 The West Bengal State Cooperative Bank Ltd. was enlisted in the Second Schedule of Reserved Bank of India i.e since then the Bank is considered as scheduled Bank. During Second Five year Plan in 1956-57 Cooperative Development Programme was adopted in West Bengal. One of the Schemes of this programme was “Re-Organization & Rehabilitation of Central Cooperative Banks”. As per advice of Reserve Bank of India it was decided that 15 Central Cooperative Banks in 15 Districts with one Bank in each district and another 2 Banks with one in each Big District of 24 Parganas and Midnapore would be formed. In 1971-72 the total number of Central Bank was 21. Subsequently banksin the districts of Coochbehar and 24 Parganas were amalgamated with The West Bengal State Cooperative Bank Ltd. Today there are 17 Central Cooperative Banks in West Bengal. Three Regional Offices of The West Bengal State Cooperative Bank are working in Coochbehar, Barasat in the district of 24 Parganas (North) and Diamond Harbour in the district of 24 Parganas (South). All the 17 Central Cooperative Banks are members of The West Bengal State Cooperative Bank Ltd.
