Chief Minister commences Distribution of Tendupatta Incentives of Rs 162 Crore; Formation of 1,352 New Cooperative Societies Expand Rural Outreach
State-Level Cooperative Conference held to Mark the Five Years of Union Ministry of Cooperatives; Awards Presented to Outstanding Cooperatives and Women Self-Help Groups
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the cooperative movement has emerged as one of the most effective instruments for enhancing farmers’ incomes, strengthening the rural economy and building a self-reliant Chhattisgarh. He said that the formation of the Union Ministry of Cooperatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was a historic step towards realising the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation”.
Addressing the State-Level Cooperative Conference and Cooperative Week programme organised today at Krishi Mandapam of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University to mark five years of the Union Ministry of Cooperation, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the double-engine government is consistently working to empower farmers, forest dwellers, women’s groups and rural families through an expanded and strengthened cooperative network.
During the programme, Chief Minister Shri Sai also launched the online portal of the Cooperatives Department, which will enable farmers’ registration to be carried out in a completely online, transparent and time-bound manner.
On the occasion, Shri Sai presented the Sahakar Prerna Awards to outstanding cooperative societies and commenced the distribution of over Rs 162 crore as incentive remuneration for 7.14 lakh Tendupatta collectors for the 2023 collection year.
Describing himself as a farmer’s son, Chief Minister said his association with the cooperative movement began in childhood, giving him an enduring belief in its immense potential. He said that under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, the vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” is now becoming a reality.
Recalling his tenure as Minister of State during the Prime Minister’s first term, Shri Sai said he had witnessed Shri Modi’s deep commitment and sensitivity towards farmers. He noted that this commitment led to the expansion of the Agriculture Ministry into the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, placing farmers’ holistic development at the centre of government policy.
Chief Minister further said that cooperatives are no longer confined to agriculture but are also being actively promoted in animal husbandry, dairy production, minor forest produce, fisheries and rural entrepreneurship. He added that with the support of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the state has begun witnessing significant transformation in dairy production, while the government continues to strengthen the livestock sector.
Highlighting the benefits of the cooperative credit system, Shri Sai said farmers earlier had to borrow at interest rates ranging between 16 and 18 per cent, placing a heavy financial burden on them. Today, however, cooperative institutions and the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme are enabling farmers to access interest-free loans. He informed that more than 15 lakh farmers in the state have received loans exceeding Rs 8,000 crore during the current year, providing timely financial support for agricultural activities and improving their economic security.
Drawing a parallel with the state’s campaign against Left Wing Extremism, Chief Minister said that just as determined leadership under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and the courage of security forces have yielded decisive success against Naxalism, the cooperative movement too has the potential to bring transformational change to the rural economy. He expressed confidence that deliberations by subject experts during Cooperative Week would open new avenues for the sector and ensure benefits reach the last mile.
Cooperatives Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said the completion of five years of the Union Ministry of Cooperation is a matter of national pride. He informed that a series of programmes are being organised across the state from June 29 to July 6 as part of Cooperative Week.
He said that Chhattisgarh has witnessed significant progress in the cooperative sector over the past two years and that cooperatives will play a pivotal role in building a developed Chhattisgarh by strengthening the rural economy.
Shri Kashyap further said that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the government has ensured that no gram panchayat remains outside the cooperative framework. As part of this initiative, 1,352 new cooperative societies have been formed across the state.
Chief Minister Visits Cooperative Exhibition Stalls
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai visited exhibition stalls put up by various cooperative institutions and appreciated innovations undertaken by farmers, women self-help groups and Van Dhan Samitis through the cooperative model.
He visited stalls of Harit Kranti Adivasi Cooperative Society, Jashpur, Mahamaya Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Korba, Bilasa Handloom Emporium, Chhattisgarh Herbals, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC); National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Dairy Federation, IFFCO, and Ganga Maiya Milk Producers’ Union, Balod, among others.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister distributed micro ATMs to five newly formed PACS, launched five new products of Chhattisgarh Herbals, presented commendation certificates to outstanding tendu leaf collectors, released the handbook of Van Dhan Committees, distributed dividends to women self-help groups, and handed over materials, incentive assistance and KCC loans to beneficiaries.
On the occasion, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Dr. Rampratap Singh, Apex Bank Authorised Officer Shri Kedarnath Gupta, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation Shri Roopsay Salam, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Oilseed Development Board Shri Jitendra Sahu, Marketing Federation Authorised Officer Shri Shashikant Dwivedi, Shri Kaniram of Sahakar Bharati, Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Union Authorised Officer Shri Saurabh Sharma, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Antyavasayi Finance and Development Corporation Shri Surendra Kumar Besra, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Development and Marketing Cooperative Federation Shri Bhojram Devangan, chairpersons of District Cooperative Central Banks; Cooperation Secretary Dr. C.R. Prasanna, Commissioner, Cooperation Shri Ramesh Sharma were present, along with public representatives, office-bearers of cooperative institutions, farmers and a large number of beneficiaries.
