(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Cooperatives Realizing Dream of Viksit Bharat@2047

(JULY-2025)

Cooperatives Realizing Dream of Viksit Bharat@2047

Context:

Ministry of Cooperation was established for the first time in India on 6th July 2021. This historic move marked the creation of an independent ministry exclusively for cooperatives, with Amit Shah entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the country’s first Cooperation Minister. Prior to this, cooperative matters were handled under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The newly formed ministry was tasked with the critical responsibility of providing the necessary administrative, legal, and policy framework to bolster the cooperative movement throughout India, thereby enabling it to play a central role in the country’s socio-economic transformation.

Significance:

The Ministry envisions an inclusive, cooperative- based economic model that contributes to the nation’s socio-economic development across sectors. Under the dynamic leadership of Minister Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation has taken strong and swift steps to rejuvenate the cooperative sector, empowering it to foster rural development and economic inclusivity.
Within a short span, the Ministry has brought renewed energy to this vast sector, which connects over 29 crore members through more than 8.40 lakh cooperative societies spread across the length and width of the country. By promoting farmer-centric cooperative models in agriculture, dairy, and self-help initiatives, the Ministry is facilitating a new era of transparency, efficiency, and empowerment for rural citizens.
One of the key achievements of the Ministry has been the launch and implementation of several high-impact schemes aimed at modernizing and strengthening the cooperative sector. The Ministry has taken more than 60 major initiatives to change the rural economy. It is mixing old ways with new ideas.
This change is not only improving the institutions that already exist but also creating new jobs and opportunities in villages through modern cooperatives that use technology and involve local people.
The role of cooperatives becomes critical in realizing the Viksit Bharat 2047agenda.They act as bridges between government schemes and rural communities, ensuring that benefits reach the last mile. For example, agricultural cooperatives help farmers access inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation support, while also facilitating procurement, storage, and marketing of produce.
Dairy cooperatives empower small livestock farmers by giving them access to markets and processing infrastructure. Credit cooperatives provide affordable loans to farmers and small entrepreneurs, reducing dependency on informal lenders.
Housing cooperatives help provide affordable homes in urban and semi-urban areas. These services, when modernized and expanded, contribute directly to economic growth, poverty reduction, and social equity, the key objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Another major focus area is the use of technology to modernize cooperatives. With initiatives like digitization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), creation of National Cooperative Database, and launch of centralized portals like the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS), CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal, e-Samyukti and e-Samridhi, the Ministry is ensuring that cooperative institutions operate with transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
These reforms will not only enhance public trust in cooperatives but also attract youth participation and professional talent to the sector. By adopting advanced tools like data analytics, satellite-based farming advisory, mobile apps, and blockchain for traceability, cooperatives are being integrated into India’s larger digital economy, thereby strengthening their role in Viksit Bharat 2047.

Way ahead:

Viksit Bharat 2047 is not merely a government programme, but a nationwide movement that seeks participation from every citizen, institution, and community. Cooperatives, by their very nature, embody collective effort, shared responsibility, and inclusive prosperity.
They represent the spirit of grassroots democracy and are vehicles of social cohesion. As the nation accelerates its journey towards becoming a developed economy, the role of cooperatives will only become more central.
Their ability to mobilize people, distribute benefits equitably, and sustain community- oriented economic activities makes them indispensable to India’s developmental vision.

Conclusion:

The Viksit Bharat 2047 vision is bold and transformative. It calls for innovative governance, inclusive policies, and people-led development. The cooperative movement, rejuvenated with the support of the Ministry of Cooperation, stands as a powerful force to realize this vision. By enabling every citizen to participate in economic growth, especially those in rural and underdeveloped regions, cooperatives can truly transform India into a prosperous, self-reliant, and empowered nation by its centenary of independence.