GANDHINAGAR (GUJARAT), FEBRUARY 18, 2026: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level ‘Manthan’ meeting with Cooperation Ministers of all States and Union Territories at Gandhinagar under the theme Sahkar se Samriddhi. The meeting reviewed progress of recent reforms and outlined a coordinated national roadmap to further empower the cooperative sector as a driver of inclusive economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister stated that India’s development by 2047 should ensure dignity and economic opportunity for all citizens, and cooperatives can serve as a key instrument to achieve this objective. He noted that scientific reforms introduced in recent years have begun delivering positive results and called for collective efforts by States to expand cooperative participation across sectors.
The meeting emphasised major priorities including expansion of food-grain storage capacity, circular economy initiatives, revival of closed sugar mills and strengthening of rural livelihoods through agriculture, dairy and allied sectors. It was highlighted that storage capacity needs to increase nearly threefold, with a significant portion to be created through cooperative institutions at district and regional levels.
States were encouraged to promote “Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives” by routing institutional banking through District Cooperative Banks and ensuring their participation in implementation of Central Government schemes. The Minister also urged States to study successful cooperative models such as dairy sector initiatives and adopt flexible policies to improve viability of cooperative industries.
The meeting reviewed progress in establishing two lakh new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and expansion of dairy and fisheries cooperatives. Discussions were held on strengthening national cooperative institutions including National Cooperative Exports Limited, National Cooperative Organics Limited and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited to enhance exports, organic farming and quality seed supply.
The deliberations also covered cooperative banking reforms, modern warehouse networks, computerisation of PACS and Registrar offices, utilisation of the national cooperative database, human resource development and effective implementation of schemes of National Cooperative Development Corporation. Expansion of membership, awareness campaigns and improved communication strategies were also discussed.
Highlighting emerging initiatives, the Minister noted that the cooperative mobility platform Bharat Taxi is expanding rapidly and is expected to reach municipal corporation cities in the coming years, benefiting both drivers and commuters.
The Manthan meeting reinforced cooperative federalism by bringing together Centre and States to strengthen cooperatives as engines of rural prosperity, employment generation and self-reliant economic growth, contributing to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
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