New Delhi: Minister for Cooperation, Manipur, Smt. Nemcha Kipgen attended a National Conference of State Cooperation Ministers at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 

The Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Government of India, Shri Amit Shah graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Minister of State for Cooperation, Government of India Shri B.L.Verma was also present.

During the conference, State Cooperation Minister, Smt Nemcha Kipgen highlighted the various achievements and initiatives taken up by the Department of Cooperation, Manipur. She informed that Manipur is on the path of development in the Cooperative sector under the keen guidance and leadership of Chief Minister of Manipur Shri N. Biren Singh. 

The Minister further stated that with new initiatives, strong support and necessary assistance from the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, the Department of Cooperation, Manipur are making efforts to boost the functioning of the Cooperative Societies in the State and make them function on the lines of the Cooperative principles, and help in the financial upliftment of a major chunk of the population, particularly the rural population, to boost to the economy of the State.

While highlighting the various achievements and activities of the Department, the state minister for Cooperation informed there are more than 12,000 Cooperative Societies in the State of Manipur. She further stated that the Model bye-law for multi-dimensional Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS) will be considered to make our weak PACS more viable and vibrant. Making the PACS multi-dimensional will also make PACS more effective and dynamic to meet the needs of the changing times, she asserted.

The Minister further informed the gathering that the proposal to have at least one good and efficient PACS or Dairy or Fishery Cooperative Societies in each Panchayat will be taken up in Manipur. She also stressed on the strong need for Dairy and Fishery Cooperative Societies in the State.

Continuing that the State has limited resources, Smt Nemcha Kipgen expressed the need to avail the various supports available under the SAHKAR-SE-SAMRIDDHI Umbrella Scheme of the Ministry of Cooperation. She sternly appeals for proactive support of the Ministry and the NCDC for the various projects to help the people of Manipur through the Cooperative Societies.

The Cooperation Minister, Manipur is hopeful that the New National Cooperation Policy will provide a strong framework for strengthening the Cooperative Societies in Manipur. Suggestions have been already submitted during the 2-Day National Conference on the proposed new National Cooperation Policy during April 2022, she added.

Smt Nemcha mentioned that National Cooperative University will help the efforts in providing awareness and education to the Cooperative Societies presently doing through the Cooperation Department, ICM, MSCU amongst others.

“Proposed New Multi State Cooperative Societies is also considered to be the need of the changing times and my state will be keen to take up this new model to benefit our Cooperative Societies” said Smt Nemcha.

Minister, Cooperation also informed that various projects have been submitted to NCDC and appealed to NCDC to consider with special concern for the need of the Northeast States. 

The Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India is organizing such a conference to further deliberate upon the issues related to the cooperation sector. On the first day of the conference, there was a Ministerial level deliberation on various agenda items. And, on the second day, the States and Union Territories will be given an opportunity to showcase achievements and initiatives taken by them to reform the Cooperative sector in their respective States/UTs.

It is inevitable to mention that the vision of – ‘Cooperation to Prosperity’ can be realized by strengthening the cooperative movement in the county; taking it to the grassroots and promoting the cooperative based economic development model. For the purpose of creating suitable policy, legal and institutional infrastructure for fulfillment of this goal, a separate Ministry of Cooperation has been formed by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi on 6th July 2021.

The Minister, Cooperation Smt Nemcha Kipgen was accompanied by ACS, Cooperation, Shri P. Vaiphei, Deputy Registrar (Admin.) Cooperative Societies, Shri Oinam Jiten Singh and officials of the Department.