As part of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, a two-day workshop titled “Sahkar Manthan-2025” was inaugurated at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun by Uttarakhand Cooperation Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat on Tuesday.
The event aimed to promote innovation in the cooperative sector, strengthen the rural economy, and create new self-employment opportunities for youth.
Dr. Rawat reiterated the state’s commitment to self-reliance through cooperative initiatives and praised the nationwide cooperative reforms under Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
He announced plans to establish Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies for every 300–400 rural population clusters to strengthen the 670 existing PACS in the state.
Highlighting Uttarakhand’s leadership, Dr. Rawat mentioned it was the first state to implement IBPS-based transparent recruitment in cooperative banks, now being adopted by six other states. He also emphasized regular district-level reviews and lauded the Mukhyamantri Ghassyari Kalyan Yojana, now being replicated in other states.
The workshop featured discussions on digitization, credit reforms, and marketing of rural products.
Key participants included NABARD, registrars, cooperative officials, and grassroots stakeholders. Experts stressed on environmental sustainability, tech adoption, and cooperative-led innovations, envisioning Uttarakhand as a national model in the cooperative movement.
