Cooperation Minister Kedar Kashyap Meets Union Minister of State

Detailed Discussion on Chhattisgarh’s Cooperative Achievements and Demands

Raipur : Chhattisgarh’s Cooperation Minister Kedar Kashyap met Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Murli Dhar Mohol, in Delhi today. The meeting was attended by Subrat Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation), Kuldeep Sharma, Commissioner & Registrar of Cooperative Societies, and representatives from the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. The discussion focused on Chhattisgarh’s achievements, challenges, and demands in the cooperative sector.

Minister Kashyap briefed Union Minister Mohol about the initiatives taken under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s leadership to strengthen the cooperative movement in Chhattisgarh. He highlighted the state’s efforts to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation.”

He stated that 2,028 PACS (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies) have been selected for modernization, and a request was made for approval of 30 additional PACS and 500 new proposed PACS. The state government had set a target of disbursing ₹8,500 crore in short-term agricultural loans, of which ₹7,709 crore has already been disbursed. However, NABARD has provided only ₹1,150 crore in concessional refinancing, which accounts for just 14.9% of the total loan amount. The state has requested an increase in this proportion to 45%.

The minister also urged the central government to relax the monthly sugar sale quota system, allowing higher sales to facilitate faster payments to sugarcane farmers. He requested a waiver of ₹84.79 lakh in delayed interest on a term loan taken by the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cooperative Sugar Factory, Pandariya. Additionally, he sought Chhattisgarh’s inclusion in exposure visits during the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

The Chhattisgarh government has launched several initiatives to boost economic development in rural and tribal areas through cooperatives. Under the Dairy Cooperative Scheme for Tribal Families, 650 milch cattle will be distributed to 325 families across six districts. The state is also constructing 725 warehouses under NABARD’s RIDF scheme, of which 665 have been completed. Furthermore, 28 PACS have been designated for Jan Aushadhi Kendras (affordable medicine centers), with 25 recently established. In 2,029 PACS, Common Service Centers have been set up, with 1,103 newly operationalized.

Minister Kashyap emphasized that the state is promoting organic farming and cooperative marketing of forest products. The Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Minor Forest Produce Federation has obtained organic certification for 22 minor forest products. All PACS in Chhattisgarh have been registered on the NCCF portal, and micro-ATMs have been installed to facilitate transactions, including ₹116 crore worth of paddy procurement payments. Over the past six months, 2.5 lakh farmers have received Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs). Additionally, PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras have been set up in all PACS, facilitating transactions worth ₹1,760.34 crore.

Minister Kedar Kashyap urged Union Minister Murli Dhar Mohol to support Chhattisgarh’s cooperative sector demands, stating that several schemes are successfully driving agricultural, rural development, and economic empowerment in the state. He added that with the expected cooperation from the central government, these initiatives could be implemented even more effectively.