Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday addressed the annual meeting of seven district-level cooperative societies, including the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank Limited, in Rajkot, Gujarat. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.Shah recalled that farmers, livestock owners and fishermen had long sought a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation. He said this demand was fulfilled in 2021 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi created the ministry, ensuring that millions of people could receive the profits of their hard work directly in their bank accounts.He described Rajkot’s cooperative sector as a model for the country and urged the establishment of milk, service, and warehouse-equipped societies in every village. On the occasion, statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Vitthalbhai Radadiya were unveiled, honouring their contributions to strengthening the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank. Shah also noted that 22 people received benefits under the bank’s accident insurance scheme and nine societies were awarded motorcycles and compensation under the Krishi Samaj Awards.The Minister highlighted the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank’s record, including multiple NABARD awards, over five decades of profitability, and consistently maintaining less than 1 per cent NPA while offering low-interest loans. He emphasised that cooperative institutions must channel profits for farmers’ welfare rather than private capital.Speaking on broader reforms, Shah said the government has launched over 60 initiatives in the last three years to strengthen the cooperative sector, including PACS computerisation, warehouse development, water conservation projects and dairy cooperatives. He also mentioned the establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand, Gujarat, as India’s first national cooperative university.He noted that new cooperatives and dairy unions are emerging nationwide, backed by computerised systems that ensure profits are returned to farmers. In Gujarat, he said, a system is being implemented to ensure cooperative institutions avail loans only from district and state cooperative banks, with successful pilots in Banaskantha and Panchmahal districts.News source: PIB