Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah has said that the Ministry of Cooperation has infused new energy into the lives of nearly 30 crore people associated with the cooperative sector over the past five years. Addressing the fifth Foundation Day celebrations of the Ministry of Cooperation in New Delhi, Mr Shah said the Ministry, established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021, has transformed the cooperative ecosystem into one that is modern, transparent, technology-driven and competitive. He said the Ministry has identified the key challenges facing the cooperative sector, prepared a comprehensive roadmap for its development, and introduced reforms that have modernised the entire ecosystem. Mr Shah said that when the nation celebrates the centenary of its Independence in 2047, the cooperative movement will serve as a strong foundation for a prosperous India. Recalling the establishment of the Ministry on 6 July 2021, he said the decision ended a 75-year wait for millions of people associated with the cooperative sector. He added that the Ministry has ended decades of neglect faced by the sector and infused new life into it. Mr Shah also rejected criticism that the Ministry would interfere in the powers of the states. Highlighting the Ministry’s achievements, Mr Shah said an integrated digital database covering over 8.58 lakh cooperative societies across 30 sectors and 32 crore members has been created. He said the database includes information on audit status, turnover, grading and the presence of cooperative institutions across villages, enabling states to identify gaps and strengthen cooperative networks. Mr Shah also announced the launch of a national ranking framework under which the top-performing cooperative societies in every sector will be recognised and encouraged. The Minister said the government has expanded the role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), enabling them to offer more than 300 services through Common Service Centres. He said 55,000 PACS are now providing services such as railway ticket booking, birth and death registration, applications for government schemes and digital payments. Mr Shah added that 39,000 PACS have become Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, more than 600 PACS are operating Jan Aushadhi Kendras, while several others are managing fuel outlets and water supply schemes.
WhatsApp us