In a significant step toward realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will address a high-level ‘Manthan Baithak’ of Cooperation Ministers from States and Union Territories on February 17, 2026, at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
The meeting, to be chaired by Amit Shah, will bring together Cooperation Ministers from all States and Union Territories along with senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries. The deliberations are aimed at strengthening coordination between the Centre and States and accelerating reforms in the cooperative sector.
The ‘Manthan Baithak’ will undertake a comprehensive review of key initiatives of the Ministry of Cooperation, assess progress made so far and facilitate the exchange of best practices among States. The platform is expected to help chart a coordinated and time-bound roadmap to modernize cooperatives, enhance transparency and make them more competitive and professionally managed.
A major focus area will be the progress in establishing two lakh new Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS), along with dairy and fisheries cooperatives, to give fresh momentum to the rural economy.
Discussions will also examine the expansion of a nationwide network of modern warehouses under the world’s largest grain storage initiative, aimed at strengthening farmers’ storage capacity, ensuring price stability and improving market access.
The meeting will deliberate on the role of States in strengthening three newly formed national cooperative institutions, National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL). These bodies are expected to boost cooperative-led exports, promote organic farming and ensure the supply of quality seeds across the country.
It is learnt that key policy issues will also be taken up, including timely amendments to State cooperative laws in line with the 97th Constitutional Amendment and the adoption of model cooperative legislation. The financial viability of cooperative sugar mills, sustainability and growth in the dairy sector, and the formation of new dairy cooperatives in collaboration with Amul and the National Dairy Development Board will also be discussed.
The agenda further includes promotion of pulses and maize production, addressing challenges faced by cooperative banks, strengthening Shared Service Entities (SSE) and umbrella structures, expanding membership and awareness campaigns and improving media outreach.
Discussions will also cover computerization of PACS and RCS offices, effective use of the National Cooperative Database, human resource development and training and implementation of schemes of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
The upcoming ‘Manthan Baithak’ is expected to reinforce cooperative federalism by deepening Centre–State collaboration and ensuring that cooperatives emerge as a strong vehicle for grassroots prosperity, employment generation and self-reliance across the country.
