Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, declared Himachal Pradesh as an ideal state for cooperatives during a high-level meeting in Shimla on Sunday, spotlighting its potential to become a model for cooperative-driven development in India. The meeting, aimed at reviewing Centrally-sponsored initiatives to bolster the cooperative sector, underscored the state’s unique position to leverage its diverse geography and vibrant community for transformative growth.
Gurjar, chairing the session with Himachal Pradesh’s cooperative department, launched 121 e-PACS (electronic Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), a significant step toward digitizing rural financial services. These e-PACS will function as common service centers, enabling seamless digital access to banking, credit, and other services for rural communities. “Himachal Pradesh has immense possibilities for cooperatives,” Gurjar said, emphasizing the state’s diverse agro-climatic conditions and community-driven ethos. He assured the state of full support from the Central government to strengthen its cooperative ecosystem.
The Union Minister also praised Himachal Pradesh for achieving 100% literacy, a milestone that enhances its capacity to adopt and innovate within the cooperative framework. “A fully literate state like Himachal is well-positioned to lead in cooperative-driven development,” Gurjar noted, highlighting the role of education in fostering sustainable economic models.
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Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, a key attendee, outlined the state’s ambitious efforts to expand the cooperative movement. “We are taking cooperatives to every household in Himachal,” he stated, noting that approximately 20 lakh people are currently associated with cooperative societies across the state. These societies are playing a pivotal role in rural financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, and agricultural marketing. Agnihotri detailed the state’s cooperative landscape, which includes 2,287 PACS, 76 societies supporting the fishing community, 971 dairy societies boosting milk production, 441 savings and credit societies, and 386 primary marketing cooperative societies aiding farmers in selling their produce. Additionally, 561 new dairy societies have been established, signaling robust growth in the dairy sector.
To align with national cooperative goals, Himachal Pradesh has drafted the State Cooperative Policy 2025, which Agnihotri described as a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive growth. He urged Gurjar to provide generous financial and technical support for key initiatives, including the computerization of cooperative societies and the digitization of Himfed (Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Marketing Federation) and Milkfed (Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation). These efforts aim to modernize operations and enhance service delivery for farmers and rural communities.
Agnihotri also sought early financial assistance for the HIMCAPS College of Law in Una district, which is set to become a hub for legal education tailored to cooperative governance. Additionally, he requested a review of the fee structure for the proposed Tribhuvan Cooperative University, a pioneering institution designed to build capacity and train future leaders in the cooperative sector. “This university will be a game-changer for cooperative education and innovation,” Agnihotri emphasized.
The meeting highlighted Himachal’s proactive approach to integrating technology and education into its cooperative framework. The launch of e-PACS is expected to revolutionize rural banking, while the state’s focus on women’s empowerment through cooperatives has set a national example. With Central support, Himachal Pradesh is poised to emerge as a leader in cooperative-driven development, fostering economic resilience and sustainability across its rural and urban communities.
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