In a unanimous decision, former Maharashtra minister Harshvardhan Patil has been elected as the President of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), with Ketanbhai Patel securing the position of Vice President for a consecutive second term. The election took place during a meeting of the newly elected board of directors held in New Delhi.
Harshvardhan Patil, renowned for his extensive experience in the cooperative sector and significant contributions during his tenure in the Maharashtra Cabinet from 1995 to 2014, brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. His counterpart, Ketanbhai Patel, previously served as Vice President of NFCSF for five years and has been re-elected for another term.
The announcement was made by Returning Officer Mekala Chaitanya Prasad (IAS) following the special general body meeting held a day prior, where 12 directors were elected under the chairmanship of outgoing NFCSF President Jaiprakash Dandegaonkar.
Expressing gratitude, Dandegaonkar extended congratulations to Harshvardhan Patil and Ketanbhai Patel while acknowledging the cooperation received from members representing cooperative sugar factories and federations across the country during his tenure.
The NFCSF, headquartered in Delhi, serves as the apex body for all cooperative sugar factories in India, facilitating communication between these entities and the central government. With a pivotal role in advocating sugar policy and addressing industry challenges, NFCSF has been instrumental in supporting factory construction, expansion, and modernization while providing technical and commercial consultancy for decades.
Amidst ongoing economic reforms and a burgeoning cooperative sector, the Ministry of Cooperation, under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has invigorated the cooperative landscape with numerous initiatives. Harshvardhan Patil commended the Ministry’s efforts, citing 54 new initiatives undertaken within 27 months, with many already in implementation phase.
The newly elected NFCSF board of directors, led by President Harshvardhan Patil, met with Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, in New Delhi. During the meeting, Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering prosperity within the cooperative sector and directed NFCSF to take a leading role in India’s sugar industry.
Emphasizing the importance of diversification, Shah urged the federation to explore ethanol production from maize and sugarcane and to operate with a corporate mindset.
In a post on X platform, Shri Amit Shah said that “Today, met and congratulated the delegation of the newly elected board of directors of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories. The Ministry of Cooperation under the guidance of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji is reaffirmed to ensure the prosperity of the cooperative sector.”
