As part of the preparations for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation and NCDC Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Bansal recently conducted a field inspection of cooperatives in Almora, Uttarakhand.
During his visit, he toured the premises of Himadri Handloom and Handicraft Cooperative Society Ltd., located in Deenapani.
Impressed by the excellent weaving work being done by women on handlooms, Bansal appreciated their craftsmanship and emphasized the importance of promoting self-employment and skill development to empower women through cooperatives.
He also inquired about the society’s short- and medium-term loan disbursement practices.
The secretary of the society explained that while nationalized banks offer combined credit limits for both Rabi and Kharif crops, as well as for livestock, the M-PACS typically provide crop-wise loans twice a year based on seasonal financing, which results in lower credit availability compared to banks.
During the visit, Bansal interacted with local women engaged in farming and appreciated the efforts of Chandrakant Upreti, Secretary/MD of Panuvanila M-PACS.
Senior officials from the Cooperation Department and NCDC were also present.