Abstract
The growth and development of an economy largely depends upon the amount of growth of the banking and financial institutions in that country. It can be said that the banking sector is the backbone of an economy. Banking sector helps the development of other important sectors of the economy. The development of agriculture sector, industrial sector, service sector and infrastructure is possible only when there is sufficient development of banking and finance sector in the economy. The Indian banking sector can also be proud of such development, but in the process of development, Indian banking sector has to pass through several difficulties, sufferings and pains of partition. Today Indian banking sector can be proud of the remarkable growth and development. But, before 20th century, there was prevailing the system of money lenders and sahukars. They lent money at the high rate of interest. The entry of government banks, joint stock banks, co-operative banks and private sector banks have taken over a good deal of business from the money lenders and sahukars, although they still exist, they have lost their looming position. In the Indian baking system, besides commercial banks, the co-operative banks have also played a supporting role in providing need based finance especially for agricultural and agriculture-based operations including farming, cattle, milk, hatchery, personal finance etc. along with some small industries and self-employment driven activities. Generally, co-operative banks are governed by the respective co-operative acts of state governments. But, since 1966, the co-operative banks are also being regulated by RBI as a result of amendment in Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The Reserve Bank is responsible for licensing of banks and branches, and it also regulates credit limits to state co-operative banks on behalf of primary co-operative banks for financing SSI units. According to the Indian banking structure, banks can be classified into two broad segments, commercial banks and co-operative banks. Commercial banks can subdivided into nationalized banks, state bank group, private sector banks, foreign banks, etc. The commercial banks account for a significant share of the banking business, the co-operative banks also hold an important position in Indian banking sector. Initially, the co-operative banks were set up to supplement the domestic sources of credit, but now-a-days these banks mainly serve the requirement of agriculture and allied activities, rural industries and trade and services of urban areas. The co-operative banks have three tier structures, which includes primary co-operative societies, district co-operative banks and state co-operative banks. This research work focuses on the evaluation of financial statements of co-operative banks in context of South region of Gujarat state.