On Sunday, Union Minister Amit Shah, who oversees the home and cooperation portfolios, chaired a significant meeting in Nava Raipur, focusing on the expansion of the cooperative sector in Chhattisgarh. Here are the key highlights of his address:
- Cooperative Societies Expansion:
- Shah announced the formation of cooperative societies in every panchayat across the country to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperatives).
- Ethanol Production:
- Shah directed that multi-feed ethanol production plants be established in Chhattisgarh’s three cooperative sugar mills within six months. This initiative aims to produce ethanol from both maize and sugarcane.
- Public Dairy Scheme:
- He called for a new public dairy scheme focusing on tribal development. The scheme should incorporate Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) as multi-purpose units, including dairy and fisheries cooperatives.
- PACS Computerization:
- Shah proposed the computerization of PACS to function as Common Service Centres (CSCs), ensuring rural populations receive benefits effectively.
- Model Bye-Laws and Cooperative Database:
- All 2058 PACS in Chhattisgarh have adopted Model Bye-Laws. Shah emphasized using the National Cooperative Database to identify dry areas for cooperative expansion.
- District Cooperative Central Banks (DCCBs):
- Shah recommended establishing at least four additional DCCBs in Chhattisgarh’s 33 districts. He also stressed mandatory registration on the NAFED and NCCF portals for PACS and cooperative societies.
- Water Committees:
- He launched PACS as ‘water committees’ in all 33 districts to manage water resources effectively.
- Environmental and Development Initiatives:
- Shah inaugurated the ‘Peepal for People’ drive under the Centre’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a peepal sapling in Nava Raipur. Over 1 lakh local trees will be planted under this campaign, with 21,000 peepal saplings already planted.
- He also dedicated several development projects, including a railway station, smart road, parking, and smart school, all part of the Rs 204.84 crore Smart City Scheme in Nava Raipur.
- Engagement with Youth:
- Shah met with 31 youth from five Naxalite-affected villages near Bijapur district, marking their first visit to Raipur.
The meeting underscored the central government’s commitment to enhancing the cooperative sector and fostering rural development through various initiatives and infrastructural projects.
