Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the 5th Foundation Day celebration of the Ministry of Cooperation

Why in news

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister highlighted the achievements and future vision of the Ministry of Cooperation, emphasizing its role in empowering individuals within the cooperative sector and its contribution to national development.

Exam relevance

GS2, GS3 · Governance, Economy, Society · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. The Ministry of Cooperation has positively impacted 30 crore people associated with the cooperative sector in the last five years.
2. A comprehensive roadmap has been prepared to address challenges and foster the development of the cooperative sector.
3. The cooperative ecosystem is being transformed to be modern, transparent, technology-driven, and competitive.
4. A nationwide network of new cooperative institutions has been established, integrating agriculture, dairy, banking, logistics, and mobility.
5. A digital database of over 32 crore cooperative members has been created.
6. Nine national-level cooperative societies have been established to create a unified framework across nine sectors, reaching the village level.
7. These institutions are projected to become the world's largest cooperatives within the next decade.
8. Efforts are underway to connect farmers' produce with global markets through the cooperative model.
9. The aim is to position India as a global leader in seed production through cooperatives.

Prelims pointers

• The Ministry of Cooperation aims to empower 30 crore people in the cooperative sector.
• A digital database of over 32 crore cooperative members has been created.
• Nine national-level cooperative societies are being established across various sectors.
• The goal is to make Indian cooperative institutions the world's largest within a decade.
• Initiatives focus on connecting farmers' produce to global markets and promoting India as a leader in seed production.

Mains practice question

Analyze the significance of the Ministry of Cooperation's recent initiatives in transforming the cooperative sector in India. Discuss how these reforms can contribute to achieving the goal of a 'Prosperous India' by 2047.

Static linkage

The cooperative movement in India has a long history, originating from efforts to address rural indebtedness and promote collective farming and marketing. It is enshrined in the Constitution of India under Article 19(1)(c) which guarantees the right to form associations or unions, and the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011, specifically introduced provisions related to cooperative societies. The Ministry of Cooperation was established to provide a separate administrative, legal, and policy framework for strengthening the cooperative movement across the country.

Significance

The Ministry of Cooperation's initiatives aim to revitalize the cooperative sector, which is crucial for India's rural economy and inclusive growth. By modernizing and integrating cooperatives, the government seeks to enhance farmer incomes, improve market access for agricultural produce, create employment opportunities, and foster a more equitable distribution of resources. The focus on technology and transparency is expected to improve efficiency and reduce leakages. The establishment of national-level cooperative societies and a digital database signifies a move towards a more organized and data-driven approach to cooperative governance and development, potentially leading to greater economic empowerment and self-reliance at the grassroots level.