- Historic Manthan Meeting in Gandhinagar sets ambitious agenda to transform cooperatives into pillars of Viksit Bharat 2047
- ₹265 crore projects launched across ethanol, energy, organic fertilizers, warehouses and rural value chains
- Amit Shah calls for threefold expansion in food grain storage, revival of sugar mills and universal cooperative banking integration
- Cooperatives positioned as engines of dignity, inclusive prosperity and rural economic resilience across India
- Bharat Taxi, PACS expansion and national cooperative institutions to reshape livelihoods and grassroots economic empowerment
NE COOPERATIVE BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, FEB 18
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a landmark Manthan Meeting with Cooperation Ministers of all States and Union Territories in Gandhinagar, unveiling a transformative vision to position India’s cooperative sector at the centre of the country’s journey towards becoming a fully developed nation by 2047.
Held under the theme ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’, the meeting witnessed the inauguration and foundation laying of cooperative projects worth ₹265 crore spanning ethanol production, energy generation, organic potash, modern warehouses and protein powder manufacturing, signalling a major push toward rural industrialisation and economic self-reliance.
Union Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and other senior officials were present.
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah emphasised the strategic role cooperatives will play in shaping India’s economic future.
“The Modi Government is advancing the country’s cooperative sector in a scientific manner, and positive results have begun to emerge.”
He underlined that cooperatives would be critical to achieving inclusive growth and ensuring dignity for every citizen.
“The objective of the ‘Manthan Meeting’ is to further enhance the role of cooperatives in making India a fully developed nation by 2047.”
“Mere economic figures do not define a fully developed country; a fully developed India means creating a system in which 140 crore people can live with dignity.”
He added that cooperatives provide the most effective platform to ensure equitable participation in economic growth and social security.
Scientific Expansion of Cooperative Infrastructure
Highlighting the urgent need to strengthen agricultural infrastructure, Amit Shah called for a massive expansion in food grain storage capacity led by cooperatives.
“In comparison to production, food grain storage in the country needs to be increased threefold in the coming days, of which twofold expansion should be undertaken by the cooperative sector.”
He stressed that only cooperatives could build a universal, accessible storage network across India, reducing logistics costs and improving farmer incomes.
“A universally accessible storage system across the country can be established only by the cooperative sector.”
He urged states to align procurement, storage and distribution regionally to reduce transportation costs by up to 40 percent.
Revival of Sugar Mills and Circular Rural Economy
Amit Shah called on states to revive closed cooperative sugar mills and transform them into diversified rural economic hubs.
“All States should make efforts to restart closed sugar mills.”
He explained that sugar mills can be modernised to produce multiple value-added products such as ethanol, fertilizers and energy, strengthening the circular rural economy.
The meeting also emphasised circularity, sustainability and value addition across dairy, agriculture and allied sectors.
Strengthening Cooperative Banking and Institutional Integration
Highlighting the importance of financial strengthening, Amit Shah urged cooperative institutions to deepen integration with cooperative banks.
“Under the call for Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives (‘Sahkarita mein Sahkar’), all cooperative institutions should maintain their bank accounts with District Cooperative Banks.”
He also stressed the need to integrate cooperative banks into national welfare delivery systems.
“Participation of Cooperative Banks should be ensured in the implementation of all Central Government schemes.”
The government is working to make cooperative banks nodal agencies for key welfare programmes, including farmer income support and pension schemes.
Cooperatives to Expand into New Sectors and Livelihood Platforms
Amit Shah announced that cooperatives would soon expand into new livelihood sectors, including transport and skilled trades.
“Bharat Taxi services will, in a very short time, reach every Municipal Corporation city.”
He said more than 3 lakh drivers have already joined Bharat Taxi, and the initiative will ensure fair earnings and dignity for drivers while offering affordable services to citizens.
He also announced plans to form cooperatives for workers such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers, ensuring fair wages and social security.
National Cooperative Institutions and Rural Transformation
The Manthan Meeting reviewed progress on major national cooperative initiatives, including:
- National Cooperative Exports Limited
- National Cooperative Organics Limited
- Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited
These institutions aim to boost agricultural exports, promote organic farming and ensure high-quality seed supply nationwide.
The meeting also reviewed progress in establishing 2 lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), strengthening dairy and fisheries cooperatives, expanding modern warehouse infrastructure and enhancing digital integration through computerisation and national cooperative databases.
States were encouraged to collaborate with leading institutions such as Amul and National Dairy Development Board to expand dairy cooperatives and improve farmer incomes.
Cooperatives at the Heart of India’s Inclusive Development Vision
Amit Shah emphasised that strengthening agriculture, animal husbandry and rural development through cooperatives was essential for national progress.
He said cooperatives will play a decisive role in ensuring economic democracy, empowering farmers, creating jobs and building resilient rural economies.
With scientific planning, institutional reforms and grassroots expansion, India’s cooperative sector is emerging as a powerful engine driving inclusive growth, rural prosperity and the nation’s march towards becoming a fully developed economy by 2047.
