Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, presided over the first meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Cooperation in New Delhi. The meeting focused on the theme “Initiatives Taken and Ongoing Efforts to Strengthen Cooperative Societies.” It was attended by Union Ministers of State for Cooperation, Shri Krishan Pal and Shri Murlidhar Mohol, along with committee members, the Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, and senior officials.
During the discussions, the committee reviewed various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry since its inception and examined the current strategies aimed at empowering cooperative societies.
In his address, Shri Amit Shah emphasized that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi established a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation to enhance the welfare of farmers and rural communities across the country, guided by the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity Through Cooperation). He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering employment generation and rural development through the cooperative movement.
Shri Amit Shah noted that while the cooperative movement thrived in the years following independence, it gradually weakened in most states. He emphasized that after the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation, the government’s first priority was to collaborate with states to create a comprehensive database of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and initiate the registration of two lakh PACS.
He further highlighted that the development of the National Cooperative Database is nearly complete, enabling easy access to information on cooperative societies across the country, categorized by region, with just one click. Additionally, he stated that significant steps have been taken toward the computerization of PACS, ensuring seamless operations. Shri Shah affirmed that in the near future, every panchayat in the country will have access to PACS, strengthening the cooperative network nationwide.
The Union Minister of Cooperation stated that the model by-laws designed to make PACS more viable have been adopted by nearly all states across the country. He further mentioned that PACS have been integrated with over 20 activities and are now offering a range of services, including Common Service Centres, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and various other facilities.
Shri Amit Shah stated that the Ministry of Cooperation has introduced a bill to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University, which is expected to be passed by Parliament soon. This university will offer technical education, accounting, administrative training, and skill development for professionals entering the cooperative sector, ensuring a well-trained workforce for its growth.
The Union Minister further highlighted the establishment of national-level cooperative organizations such as National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samriti Limited (BBSSL). These organizations will play a crucial role in boosting exports, promoting organic products, and advancing seed production within the cooperative sector, bringing about significant transformations in the coming years.
He emphasized that the government aims to provide the cooperative sector with opportunities equal to those of the corporate sector. To achieve this, the Ministry of Cooperation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Reserve Bank, and Income Tax Department, has been working on implementing a unified tax structure for both sectors. Expressing confidence, he stated that cooperative enterprises will compete effectively with the corporate sector, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’.
Additionally, Shri Shah informed the Consultative Committee that a strategic roadmap has been developed for the rapid expansion of national federations in the cooperative sector, in partnership with KRIBHCO, IFFCO, NDDB, and other federations. He also noted that PACS have already started booking railway tickets, and with the Ministry’s initiatives, they will soon be able to sell airline tickets as well.
Shri Amit Shah stated that to address regional disparities in the growth of cooperatives across the country, the government is implementing targeted measures to ensure balanced and uniform development in all states.
The Union Minister of Cooperation highlighted that following the remarkable success of the ‘Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives’ initiative in Gujarat, plans are underway to expand its implementation to other states nationwide.
During the meeting, committee members shared their insights and suggestions on strengthening cooperative societies. They also commended the government’s efforts in taking significant steps to bolster the cooperative movement across the country.