The Ministry of Cooperation’s two-day 9th National Review Workshop concluded in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on October 9, with Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani calling upon States to prepare prioritised, time-bound action plans to accelerate cooperative development and translate reforms into measurable grassroots outcomes.
Held on October 8–9 under the theme “Sahkar Se Samriddhi-The Road Ahead: Scaling Impact through Cooperative Transformation”, the workshop brought together senior State officials, Registrars of Cooperative Societies, national cooperative institutions and other stakeholders.
Discussions covered PACS, cooperative banking, dairy cooperatives, digitalisation, cooperative marketing, business diversification and decentralised grain storage, with particular attention to the Northeast and eastern frontier regions, including Left Wing Extremism-affected districts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Dr. Bhutani emphasised that a uniform development model would not work across India’s diverse States. Instead, States must develop locally appropriate strategies, learn from successful initiatives elsewhere and replicate effective models. He urged officials to identify clear implementation responsibilities, establish realistic deadlines and introduce regular monitoring mechanisms.
Highlighting the role of National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), he said these institutions were opening new opportunities for grassroots cooperatives through agricultural produce aggregation, wider market access and better prices for farmers. States were encouraged to adopt successful models and explore additional business opportunities for PACS, including fertiliser distribution, wherever feasible.
Cooperative banking emerged as another key priority. Dr. Bhutani stressed the need for stronger cybersecurity, modern core banking systems and expanded internet and mobile banking services. He appreciated NABARD’s initiative to develop a standardised Core Banking Solution (CBS) platform, noting that modern technology would improve service delivery, strengthen public confidence and help cooperative banks attract younger customers, including Generation Z.
On PACS expansion, he urged States to accelerate the formation of new societies, bifurcate existing institutions where necessary and widen membership. The target is to establish approximately 95,000 new PACS over the next two to three years. A stronger PACS network, he noted, would also provide the institutional foundation required to make new District Central Cooperative Banks viable.
Dr. Bhutani directed States to complete all pending components of the first phase of PACS computerisation by December 2026. Audits for the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26 must be completed by October 2026, alongside timely account reconciliation and regular updating of records.
The existing computerisation scheme is scheduled to conclude in March 2027, with a proposal for extension
without additional financial implications under consideration.
The workshop also stressed formalising village-level milk collection arrangements into organised dairy cooperatives, enabling milk producers to benefit from cooperative membership. Progress in forming new dairy and fisheries societies was welcomed.
On grain storage, Dr. Bhutani called for faster implementation of the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the cooperative sector. Decentralised godowns could also support alternative agricultural marketing and financing mechanisms, including pledge finance, allowing farmers to store produce and seek better prices.
The Ministry is exploring locally adapted pilot projects, particularly for cereals other than wheat and paddy, where access to MSP-based procurement may be difficult. Dr. Bhutani clarified that these mechanisms would supplement, not replace, the Minimum Support Price framework. Models are expected to be shared with States over the next two to three months, followed by possible district-level pilots.
The next National Review Workshop is proposed to be held in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, in January 2027.
