Delhi’s cooperative sector took centre stage at the Sahkar Samman ceremony organised by the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of Delhi, where leading contributors to the movement were honoured for their exemplary service.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded the role of cooperatives in promoting financial inclusion and grassroots economic empowerment. She emphasised that cooperative institutions remain a vital pillar in strengthening community-based development, especially in urban clusters where small traders, self-employed workers and lower-income households rely on accessible credit systems.
The awards were presented in the presence of Delhi’s Cooperation Minister Ravindra Indraj, along with MLAs Surya Prakash Khatri and Ashok Goel. Three office-bearers affiliated with Sahakar Bharati, Sunil Gupta, Pravesh Kumar Gupta and Reema Tyagi, were conferred the Sahakar Samman Award for their outstanding contribution to the cooperative credit structure in Delhi through the United Thrift and Credit Cooperative Societies Federation of Delhi Ltd.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Ravindra Indraj outlined a series of new initiatives aimed at modernising and strengthening cooperative institutions across the capital. He announced steps to digitise cooperative societies to ensure transparency in operations, faster loan processing and improved member services.
The minister also highlighted plans for capacity-building workshops and training programmes for board members and staff to enhance governance standards.
In a bid to curb irregularities and enhance accountability, the Cooperation Department is working on stricter audit mechanisms and streamlined compliance norms. Indraj further stated that the government intends to encourage youth and women’s participation in cooperative leadership, making the movement more inclusive and future-ready.
The minister reiterated Delhi’s commitment to aligning its cooperative reforms with the national vision of strengthening grassroots economic frameworks under the Union Ministry of Cooperation. By promoting thrift, credit access and community entrepreneurship, the Delhi government aims to position cooperatives as engines of sustainable urban development.
The Sahkar Samman ceremony not only celebrated individual excellence but also underscored the capital’s renewed push to revitalise the cooperative movement as a tool for inclusive growth and financial empowerment.
