Promote Environmental Conservation Through Cooperative Institutions: CM Devendra Fadnavis

State Plans Comprehensive Programs to Celebrate International Year of Cooperatives 2025

Mumbai : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed that while celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, special emphasis should be placed on environmental conservation and tree plantation. He emphasized that all initiatives should be implemented with the active participation of cooperative institutions across the state.

CM Fadnavis was speaking at a meeting of the State Apex Council at Vidhan Bhavan, which was convened to plan various programs for the International Year of Cooperatives. The meeting was attended by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Environment and Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde, OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save, Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, Minister of State for Cooperation Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, and other senior officials.

The Chief Minister stated that departments such as Cooperation, Agriculture, Marketing, Dairy, Food and Civil Supplies, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Non-conventional Energy should coordinate to design and implement programs effectively. He instructed that public awareness should be widely raised about the initiatives planned throughout the year and that tree plantation drives should be integrated into all events. He also announced the extension of the deadline for cooperative institutions to submit proposals for the 2025 Cooperative Awards from July 18 to July 31.

Fadnavis stressed the need for joint execution of programs by both central and state governments. The progress and contribution of Maharashtra in the cooperative sector should be effectively communicated to the public. Information regarding the annual calendar of events should be regularly submitted to the state-level apex committee. Recognizing the evolving challenges in the cooperative sector, the CM also called for a review of the Cooperative Act and the formation of a study group to present recommendations for necessary amendments.

During the meeting, dignitaries released a book titled “The Story of the Reserve Bank” authored by Vidyadhar Anaskar, administrator of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.

Principal Secretary Praveen Darade of the Cooperation and Marketing Department presented an overview of the department’s initiatives planned for the year. Administrator Anaskar shared insights into the events held in Ahilyanagar, Shirdi, and highlighted cooperative processions organized in Mumbai and Nagpur. He also noted the successful International Cooperative Conference held in the presence of Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde. Upcoming events include a Cooperative Flag March, Cooperative Marathon, and widespread tree plantation activities.

The meeting also saw the participation of senior bureaucrats and representatives from various cooperative institutions, banks, housing federations, sugar factories, and credit societies, marking a significant step towards celebrating and strengthening the cooperative movement in Maharashtra.