“Cooperative Prosperity” Conference Begins in Udaipur to Strengthen Cooperative Sector

Udaipur, January 2026: A significant step towards realizing the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” was taken on Thursday with the inauguration of a two-day conference organized by the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, in collaboration with the states and Union Territories. The conference is being held at Hotel Aravali, Udaipur, with secretaries and registrars of cooperative departments from all states and UTs participating, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Cooperation. The conference was inaugurated by the Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Additional Secretary Mr. Pankaj Kumar Bansal was also present on the occasion.

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Bhutani emphasized that prosperity is impossible without a strong cooperative sector. Strengthening the sector requires simplification of rules, reforms in the banking system, and effective coordination among various institutions. Citing the successful cooperative model in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, he highlighted notable progress in tree plantation and dairy sectors even in a desert region. He urged officials to visit districts and villages to gather direct feedback from the public.

Dr. Bhutani also discussed challenges arising from dual control in cooperative banking, emphasizing the smooth functioning of boards and branch expansion. He noted that the RBI has allowed banks to open 10 branches without prior approval, which should be leveraged. He stressed the need for coordination rather than competition among various cooperative institutions, which operate under different ministries. Under the National Cooperative Policy, states are expected to customize the policy according to local needs while integrating it with the national framework. He also highlighted efforts in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar to expand membership in PACS, dairy, and fisheries cooperatives.

The Secretary stated that the cooperative sector must become self-reliant, emphasizing capacity building and training. A major step in this direction has been the establishment of Tribhuvan Cooperative University to provide new momentum to the cooperative movement.

Joint Secretary Mr. Siddharth Jain presented an overview of the development journey of cooperatives in India, upcoming action plans, and expectations from states and UTs. He highlighted the sector’s extensive reach to villages and its significant contribution to the national economy. He noted that the Ministry of Cooperation, formed on July 6, 2021, has empowered the sector through over 100 initiatives, aiming to triple its GDP contribution by 2047.

Secretary and Registrar of the Cooperative Department, Ms. Anandi, welcomed all participants, stating that hosting this national-level conference is an honor for Rajasthan. She emphasized that India’s cooperative movement is entering a new era of innovation, emerging as economically strong units under the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” championed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Cooperation.

During the two-day conference, the initiatives for cooperative-led prosperity are being reviewed in detail, and future strategies for sectoral strengthening are being discussed.