The 72nd All India Cooperative Week was inaugurated in Lucknow on Friday with a strong emphasis on digital transformation and transparency in Uttar Pradesh’s cooperative network. The event was organized by the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Bank under the framework of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
UP Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi attended as Chief Guest, while J.P.S. Rathore, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Cooperation, graced the programme as Guest of Honour. Jitendra Bahadur Singh, Chairman of UP Cooperative Bank, presided over the session.
In his remarks, Shahi said that the cooperative sector embodies the true strength of collective effort.
He noted that the condition of cooperatives before 2017 was extremely weak, but the Yogi Government has brought “revolutionary improvements” that have renewed farmers’ trust. Praising the Digital India initiative, he said that direct transfer of benefits, including PM-Kisan funds, has become possible due to widespread digitization, in which cooperative societies with nearly 50 lakh members play an important role.
Rathore highlighted the success of the B-PACS Membership Mega Campaign 2025, reporting over 20 lakh new members and share capital mobilization of nearly Rs 40 crore. Cooperative banks have also secured deposits exceeding Rs 500 crore, signaling rising public confidence.
He informed that the computerization of 5,686 PACS is progressing in three phases and will significantly boost efficiency. UP Cooperative Bank has become the first cooperative bank in India authorized to issue and update Aadhaar cards, further expanding its public service role.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Cooperation) Saurabh Babu, Registrar Anil Kumar Singh, UP State Co-op Bank MD R.K. Kulshreshtha, and NABARD CGM Nandini Ghosh, were present.
