Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah led a series of review sessions in New Delhi focusing on national-level cooperative initiatives. Discussions centered on enhancing the cooperative banking sector, promoting organic products through cooperatives, and expanding cooperative product exports. The meetings assessed progress in adopting technology, improving governance, cyber security, digital payments, and service delivery in cooperative banking.
A key highlight was the discussion on the proposed Cooperative Bank of India (COBI) and its role in supporting the cooperative banking sector. Additionally, efforts to integrate MuleHunter.AI with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) were reviewed to bolster fraud risk management and cyber security capabilities in cooperative banks. This integration aims to enhance preparedness against digital threats and build trust in digital cooperative banking services.
Union Minister Amit Shah stressed the importance of cooperation among sectoral institutions and increasing the involvement of cooperative banks in common service platforms. He emphasized the necessity of robust cyber security frameworks, modern banking technology, and sustainable business models for the cooperative banking sector. Shah also highlighted the significance of Rural Cooperative Banks joining Sahakar Sarathi Private Limited (SSPL) and Urban Cooperative Banks becoming members of National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC).
In a separate review, Amit Shah examined the activities and future plans of the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL). Discussions focused on expanding membership, engaging with cooperatives and producers, business development, procurement and marketing of organic produce, and strengthening national cooperative organic and export ecosystems. Plans for expansion through Central government agencies, international market entry, and strategic growth opportunities were also reviewed.
