Himachal Dy CM Mukesh Agnihotri seeks funds for expansion of cooperatives

Union Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar today said that the development and expansion of the cooperative sector was mandatory to make farmers prosperous and self-dependent. He called Himachal an ideal state for cooperatives while reviewing various centrally-sponsored initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector at a meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Department here. He launched 121 e-PACS on the occasion.

The Union Minister said that various cooperative courses would be started in the state under Tribhuvan Sahkari University, the country’s only national cooperative university. “The state has submitted a proposal in this regard. There are some issues regarding fees, which will be sorted out,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the draft of the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Policy-2025 had been prepared in line with the Central cooperative policies to expand cooperatives in the state. He requested Gurjar to extend generous support to the state in this field and sought funds for the computerisation of societies and support for the digitisation of Himfed and Milkfed. He urged the Union Minister for financial assistance for HIMCAPS College of Law in Una district. Gurjar assured Agnihotri that the Central Government would provide every possible assistance to the state in the field of cooperatives.

Agnihotri said that about 20 lakh people in the state were associated with cooperatives and the cooperative societies here were setting an example in women empowerment. At present, 2,287 primary Agricultural Credit Societies were working towards rural financial inclusion. In this direction, six new multi-purpose societies had been formed. As many as 76 societies were serving the fishermen community, 971 dairy societies were engaged in milk production and distribution, 441 societies were providing savings and credit facilities and 386 primary marketing cooperative societies were helping farmers sell their produce.

“Himachal is also progressing in the dairy sector and 561 new societies have been established,” said the Deputy Chief Minister. During the meeting, the representatives of various cooperative societies highlighted their achievements.