The ‘Delhi Declaration 2025’ of the international conference organised by NAFCUB will serve as a roadmap for the expansion of Urban Cooperative Banks
Today, the Umbrella Organisation launched the ‘Sahkar Digi-Pay’ and ‘Sahkar Digi-Loan’ apps, which will become symbols of the cooperative sector’s participation in the digital revolution
Urban Cooperative Banks and Cooperative Credit Societies have moved forward with new enthusiasm under the Modi government
Within the next five years, an Urban Cooperative Bank will be established in every city with a population of over 2 lakh
The Ministry of Cooperation has taken several steps to modernize the cooperative sector, resolve its issues, and expand its reach
In the past two years, we have succeeded in reducing the NPA from 2.8 per cent to 0.6 per cent
Urban Cooperative Banks are becoming a means for the upliftment of small traders, entrepreneurs, and youth
Amul and IFFCO securing the first and second positions globally in the cooperative sector is proof of the relevance of cooperatives
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 10, 2025: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday addressed the international conference on the urban cooperative credit sector, ‘Co-Op Kumbh 2025’ in New Delhi as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, the Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, and several other dignitaries were present.
In his address, the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Cooperative Kumbh of urban cooperative banks and credit societies is being organised to mark the International Year of Cooperatives. He said that over the past 3–4 years, the country’s urban cooperative banking sector and cooperative credit society sector have been moving forward with renewed enthusiasm. He added that during Co-Op Kumbh 2025, there will be discussions on policy, technology, and innovation to tap several possibilities related to this sector. He said, the ‘Delhi Declaration 2025’ of the international conference organized by NAFCUB will serve as a roadmap for the expansion of Urban Cooperative Banks.
Mr Amit Shah said that through Co-Op Kumbh 2025, our dream of expanding urban cooperative banks will be fulfilled very soon. He said that today, Sahkar Digi-Pay and Sahkar Digi-Loan have been launched here by the umbrella organisation. Through the Sahkar Digi-Pay app, even the smallest urban cooperative banks will be able to offer digital payment facilities.
The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that since the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Modi government has taken several important policy decisions to bring about fundamental changes in every sector related to cooperatives. Along with this, many steps have also been taken to modernise the cooperative sector, resolve its challenges, and expand the reach of cooperatives. He said that all state governments in the country have accepted the model bylaws for PACS.
He said that the Ministry of Cooperation has set four goals. The first is the development of Generation Sahakar, meaning connecting the young generation with the cooperative movement. For this, the Tribhuvan Sahkari University has been established, which will meet every kind of need in the cooperative sector. He said, another goal is to prepare cooperative societies that are capable of facing all kinds of challenges. He added that the government has also set a target of establishing one urban cooperative bank in every city with a population of more than two lakh within five years. Shri Shah said that urban cooperative banks must carry out their core functions with a multi-sector approach for the empowerment of young entrepreneurs, self-help groups, and weaker sections of society. He said, our goal is to strengthen cooperatives and, at the same time, to strengthen the weaker sections, and no institution other than urban cooperative banks can achieve this. He said that empowering vulnerable individuals through urban cooperative banks must also be one of our goals.
Union Minister of Cooperation said that in the past two years, we have succeeded in reducing Non-Performing Assets (NPA) from 2.8% to 0.06%. Along with this, we must improve operational standards and further strengthen the improvements achieved in financial discipline. Establishing one urban cooperative bank in every city will be possible only when we work toward converting cooperative societies into banks. He said that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures alone cannot reflect our progress; along with them, we must also ensure that every person gets some work and that their standard of living improves, which cannot happen without cooperatives. Shri Shah said that the Government of India and all state governments fully understand the concept and importance of cooperatives, and now there is a need to work with renewed confidence and effort in a transparent and result-oriented manner.
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