Addressing the Manthan Baithak on Tuesday in Ahmedabad, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stressed that cooperative banks must play a key role in implementing Central Government schemes.
He said the Government of India has decided that cooperative banks can be designated as nodal agencies for various central schemes, strengthening their participation in the financial delivery system.
Shah urged State Governments to ensure that funds under major welfare schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and old-age pension programmes are routed through cooperative banks. This, he said, would enhance transparency, efficiency, and grassroots outreach.
Emphasising the principle of Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives, he called upon all cooperative institutions to maintain their bank accounts with District Cooperative Banks to further consolidate the cooperative ecosystem.
The meeting featured detailed presentations on boosting pulses and maize production, addressing challenges faced by cooperative banks, strengthening Shared Service Entities and umbrella structures, expanding membership drives, and building an effective media and communication strategy to promote the cooperative movement nationwide.