Under PM Modi’s Leadership, Vision of Door-to-Door Cooperative Movement Being Realized : CM Sai

CM Inaugurates New Apex Bank Branch, Attends Oath Ceremony of Newly Appointed Officer

Raipur : Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today attended the swearing-in and felicitation ceremony of Mr. Kedarnath Gupta, the newly appointed Authorized Officer of the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Bank (Apex Bank), at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur. On this occasion, the CM also virtually inaugurated a new branch of the Apex Bank at Farsabahar in Jashpur district and extended congratulations to the local residents.

CM Sai remarked that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” is being brought to life. Inspired by this vision, the state government is connecting every household to the cooperative network. He expressed confidence that with Mr. Gupta’s leadership, the cooperative movement in Chhattisgarh would be further strengthened.

Highlighting key initiatives, the Chief Minister said that in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board, the state has launched initiatives to boost milk production, including a pilot project distributing two milch cows each to beneficiaries in six selected districts. He said this will empower rural families and expand cooperative-based dairy activity.

CM Sai also noted a significant step taken this year on Panchayati Raj Diwas—the opening of Atal Digital Service Centers in 1,460 gram panchayats, bringing banking services right to village offices. This will be expanded to all panchayats by next Panchayati Raj Diwas, ensuring easy banking access for farmers and rural residents.

Recalling past reforms, CM Sai praised former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh for major cooperative sector reforms during his tenure. Dr. Singh reduced interest rates on short-term agricultural loans, ultimately making them interest-free. As a result, farmers today receive loans without intermediaries and zero interest burden.

The newly inaugurated Apex Bank branch at Farsabahar will now spare local farmers the hardship of traveling 50–60 kilometers to Pathalgaon for banking. CM Sai extended thanks to the Cooperative Department for this transformative initiative.

Dr. Raman Singh Pays Tribute to Cooperative Visionaries

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Dr. Raman Singh, began his speech by honoring cooperative pioneers like Vamanrao Lakhe and Thakur Pyarelal, who laid the foundation for cooperatives in Chhattisgarh. He emphasized that 2025, being the International Year of Cooperatives, is witnessing phenomenal changes in the sector due to the efforts of Union Minister Amit Shah.

Dr. Singh lauded CM Sai for bringing prosperity to farmers’ lives, highlighting his bold move to procure paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal and a per-acre cap of 21 quintals—the first such initiative by any CM in India. He also underlined how CM Sai has extended the cooperative model to even the remotest parts of the state.

Today, Apex Bank has emerged as one of the state’s strongest institutions, with a turnover of ₹40,000 crore and disbursement of ₹7,500 crore in loans to farmers.

PM Modi’s Efforts Ensure 100% Direct Benefit Transfers

Dr. Singh further noted that thanks to Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives, every citizen now has access to the banking system. As a result, beneficiaries receive full payments directly into their bank accounts, bypassing middlemen.

He concluded by stressing the immense potential that still lies in the cooperative sector and called for swift efforts to bring 100% of farmers under the Apex Bank and cooperative network.

CSR Contribution to Healthcare

In a noteworthy moment during the event, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited handed over a CSR donation of ₹2.25 crore to Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital in Raipur. CM Sai expressed heartfelt thanks to the company’s representatives for their generous contribution.

Dignitaries Present

The ceremony was attended by Cooperation Minister Kedar Kashyap, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Revenue Minister Tankaram Verma, Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel, MLAs Rajesh Munat, Anuj Sharma, Motilal Sahu, Purandar Mishra, Guru Khushwant Saheb, Sunil Soni, chairpersons of various corporations and boards, Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation) Subrat Sahu, and numerous distinguished citizens.