Maharashtra Minister of Cooperation Babasaheb Patil revealed plans to introduce a comprehensive cooperation policy to boost sector growth. He highlighted the cooperative sector’s significance in driving social and economic progress during a State Council session. Patil mentioned the formation of a 15-member committee tasked with drafting the new policy, emphasizing the importance of transparency, efficiency, and sustainable development.
Meetings will be conducted in various divisions, including Mumbai and Nagpur, to gather input from experts, activists, and the youth. The minister underscored the vital role of the cooperative movement in the rural economy, with around 2.33 lakh active cooperative societies in the state. These societies encompass apex institutions, District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), and other key entities such as sugar factories and housing societies.
Patil outlined government initiatives to support the sector, including interest subsidies for DCCBs, grants for primary institutions, and digitization efforts. He also mentioned financial aid for distressed DCCBs and expedited redevelopment processes for housing societies. The minister highlighted the importance of cooperatives in future job creation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bolstering sectors like dairy and fisheries through cooperative models.
