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Key Points

Gujarat Cooperation Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma announced 54 initiatives to strengthen cooperative institutions in the state assembly. These measures include modernizing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies through computerization and adopting model bylaws. The initiatives have enabled cooperatives to diversify into new services like petrol pumps and consumer stores, creating local employment opportunities. Through these efforts, banking and financial services are now directly reaching rural households across Gujarat's vast cooperative network.

Key Points: Gujarat Minister Announces 54 Initiatives to Strengthen Cooperatives

  • 54 initiatives launched to strengthen cooperative institutions across Gujarat
  • 473 PACS in Ahmedabad adopted model bylaws and computerization
  • Cooperatives diversifying into petrol pumps and consumer stores creating jobs
  • Banking services reaching villages directly through PACS and milk cooperatives
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Centre, State push 54 initiatives to strengthen cooperatives: Gujarat minister

Gujarat Cooperation Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma reveals 54 state and central initiatives to modernize PACS, create rural jobs, and expand financial services through cooperatives.

"Cooperatives form one of the strongest pillars of Gujarat's rural economy - Article"

Gandhinagar, Sep 9

Gujarat Cooperation Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma informed the Assembly that a total of 54 initiatives have been rolled out to strengthen cooperative institutions, of which 14 are aimed specifically at making Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) financially robust.

Replying to a question on agriculture credit cooperatives, Minister Vishwakarma said that in Ahmedabad district alone, 473 PACS have adopted model bylaws, 448 have been computerised, and 160 have set up Common Service Centres (CSCs).

In addition, several PACS have diversified into running petrol and diesel pumps, consumer stores, and selling seasonal products. These steps, he noted, have created local employment opportunities for rural youth.

The minister also highlighted that through PACS and milk cooperatives, banking and financial services are now reaching villages directly.

Under the pilot project 'Cooperation among Cooperatives', launched in Gujarat, the Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank has trained PACS and dairy secretaries as Bank Mitras. Equipped with micro-ATMs, they can now deliver essential financial services at the doorstep of rural households.

Cooperatives form one of the strongest pillars of Gujarat's rural economy, with a presence across agriculture, dairy, credit, housing, and consumer sectors. The state is home to over 81,000 cooperative societies, including more than 8,800 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), nearly 18,000 dairy cooperatives and thousands of housing and urban credit societies that cater to small savers and borrowers.

Gujarat's cooperatives collectively support millions of farmers, milk producers, and rural households, generating employment and ensuring last-mile access to banking, markets, and essential services.

The cooperative model in Gujarat is not just a support system but a growth engine, blending community ownership with financial sustainability.

Recent state and central government initiatives, including the 54 cooperative reforms mentioned by Cooperation Minister Vishwakarma, aim to modernise PACS, digitalise operations, and expand services to keep this vast network relevant in the changing rural economy.

On Monday, Minister Vishwakarma announced in the Assembly that citizens in Gujarat will soon be able to access copies of their revenue documents with a single click.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Finally some concrete steps being taken! The Bank Mitra initiative with micro-ATMs is a game-changer for rural areas. My grandmother in Kheda district no longer has to travel 15km to withdraw her pension. More such initiatives please! 🙏
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Michael C
While the initiatives sound promising, I hope there's proper monitoring and accountability. Often such schemes look good on paper but implementation at ground level faces challenges. Hope they ensure proper training and support for the staff handling these new systems.
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Ananya R
The diversification into petrol pumps and consumer stores is brilliant! Creates local employment and reduces dependency on cities. Gujarat's cooperative model has always been strong - good to see it evolving with times. Amul's success story shows what cooperatives can achieve! 💪
S
Sarah B
Impressive scale - 81,000 cooperative societies! The single-click revenue documents initiative will be a huge relief for farmers. No more running around government offices for paperwork. Hope other states learn from Gujarat's cooperative success story.
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Vikram M
As someone from rural Gujarat, I've seen how cooperatives transform lives. The milk cooperative changed my family's fortunes. Glad to see the government strengthening this system further. Digitalization is the need of the hour! 🎯

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