Rajasthan Shows Strong Progress in ‘Prosperity Through Cooperation’ Initiatives, Says Union Ministry Official

Jaipur, Aug 2025 – Director of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, Mr. Kapil Meena, said Rajasthan has been performing well in implementing the ‘Prosperity Through Cooperation’ initiatives. He noted that the state has vast untapped potential in various cooperative sectors and called for identifying these opportunities to achieve even better results.

Mr. Meena was chairing a review meeting on the implementation of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 and Prosperity Through Cooperation initiatives at the Apex Bank Auditorium on Monday. Discussing the PACS computerization project, he instructed officials to bridge gaps, speed up on-system audits, accelerate the “go-live” process, and close the gap between “go-live” and “day-end.” He also directed timely completion of ARDB and RCS office computerization.

Highlighting Rajasthan’s top position in the country for membership in the Indian Seed Cooperative Ltd., he congratulated officials and urged them to expand membership in NCOL and ACEL as well. He advised reporting any membership-related challenges to the Ministry for resolution. He praised the state for exceeding the M-PACS formation target by more than three times, while encouraging greater efforts in forming dairy and fisheries cooperatives and expediting the closure of inactive committees.

Regarding the global grain storage scheme, he stressed ensuring hiring assurances for warehouses under construction, in coordination with NCCF and NAFED, and completing construction by September 30. He called for uniformity in warehouse colors, design, and logos. Officials reported that 36 approved warehouses for 2024–25 have been completed, and all 2025–26 projects have received financial clearance. On July 17, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated 24 warehouses, and hiring assurances have been secured for 97 warehouses so far.

Mr. Meena directed upgrading more PACS into Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK), ensuring managers without licenses obtain the required diploma, mandating PMKSK boards at all PACS, and activating those already upgraded as Common Service Centres (CSCs). He called for compulsory CSC upgrades for PACS in urban and semi-urban areas, and for including training and capacity-building programs in International Year of Cooperatives activities. He also noted that under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, cooperatives are allowed to install solar panels and should be encouraged to apply.

Officials informed that Rajasthan has over 41,400 cooperative societies with more than 1.14 crore members, and efforts are underway to further increase membership. Innovations such as millet outlets and bike ride services in the cooperative sector have been introduced, receiving positive responses. Mr. Meena commended these initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Rajfed Managing Director Mr. Tikam Chand Bohra, Additional Registrar (First) Mrs. Shilpi Pandey, Additional Registrar (Marketing & Nodal Officer – Prosperity Through Cooperation) Mr. Bhoma Ram, Additional Registrar (Second) & Nodal Officer – International Year of Cooperatives Mr. Sandeep Khandelwal, and other concerned officials.