Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, chaired a high-level meeting at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan to deliberate on the modalities for establishing a new Multi-State Cooperative Society. The proposed cooperative will focus on the manufacturing of sugar-based chemicals and compressed biogas (CBG), aligning with the government’s broader vision of promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial growth.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem by creating new opportunities for farmers, industries, and stakeholders connected to the sugar sector. By integrating value-added production such as sugar chemicals and clean energy solutions like CBG, the proposed society aims to enhance income generation while contributing to India’s green energy targets.
In addition to this, Dr. Bhutani chaired a separate review meeting to assess the progress and performance of Indian Potash Limited (IPL). The review focused on ongoing projects, operational efficiency, and strategies to further enhance IPL’s role in supporting agricultural productivity and fertilizer distribution across the country. Emphasis was placed on timely implementation, transparency, and robust monitoring systems to ensure better outcomes.
During the discussions, the Secretary highlighted the importance of accelerating reforms in the cooperative sector, noting that cooperatives play a crucial role in rural development and economic empowerment. He stressed the need for innovation, adoption of modern technologies, and improved governance practices to make cooperatives more competitive and resilient.
The meetings saw participation from senior government officials and key leaders from major cooperative institutions. Among those present were Additional Secretary Pankaj Kumar Bansal and Joint Secretary Raman Kumar from the Ministry of Cooperation.
Leading cooperative sector representatives included Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB; K.J. Patel, Managing Director of IFFCO; Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Amul (GCMMF); S.S. Yadav, Managing Director of KRIBHCO; and Unupom Kausik, Managing Director of NCEL.
Dr. P.S. Gahlaut, Managing Director of IPL, along with other senior officials, also participated in the review meeting. The presence of these key stakeholders reflected a collaborative and integrated approach towards strengthening India’s cooperative framework.
The discussions concluded with a shared commitment to advancing cooperative-led growth and ensuring that new initiatives contribute effectively to sustainable development and economic progress.