Ensuring Transparency in the Functioning of Cooperative Societies is Essential : CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that it is important to maintain the credibility of cooperative societies and sustaining public trust in their functioning. He said that ensuring transparency in the operations of these societies is essential, and therefore, 100 percent computerization of all Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies must be achieved. Dr. Yadav directed that the audit of all societies should be completed by June 2025 and that farmers should receive transaction details via SMS. He also instructed that the computerization of all cooperative societies be completed by December 2025. These directives were given during a review meeting of the Cooperative Department held at the Ministry. Cooperative Minister Shri Vishwas Sarang, Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary Cooperative Shri Ashok Varnwal, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasized on the need to identify under-served panchayats and prioritize the formation of new cooperative societies in those areas. He stated that, in addition to traditional activities, societies should also take up modern and relevant initiatives such as Common Service Centers, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, Water Tax Recovery Centers, and Agri Drone Operations to better serve the community. Dr. Yadav also stressed the importance of creating new business opportunities for cooperative societies through the Cooperative-Public-Private Partnership (CPPP) model, encouraging collaboration between the cooperative, public, and private sectors. He directed that innovative approaches be adopted within cooperatives and that activities like drip irrigation, grading, sorting and packaging, jungle safaris, guest houses, and food processing be actively promoted.

In the meeting, it was informed that during the year 2024–25, crop loans amounting to Rs 21,232 crore were disbursed to 35.03 lakh farmers, which is Rs 1,286 crore more than the previous year. A target has been set to distribute Rs 6,710 crore in crop loans over the next five years in eight aspirational districts of the state—Khandwa, Barwani, Guna, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Damoh, Chhatarpur, and Singrauli.Additionally, 26 cooperative societies engaged in various activities have been established across 13 aspirational development blocks. As part of the recruitment process for officers and committee managers in district cooperative banks and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies through IBPS Mumbai, the appointment of 36 officers and 1,358 committee managers has been completed. The recruitment process for additional officers and staff for district cooperative banks is currently underway.