Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha emphasised that expanding cooperative societies in the state would not only alleviate unemployment but also help reduce militant activities.
Speaking at the state-level day-long conference on “Promotion and Development of Cooperatives” at Rabindra Satabarsiki Bhavan on Tuesday, Saha highlighted the socio-economic benefits of cooperatives.
Currently, approximately nine lakh people in Tripura are directly or indirectly linked to cooperatives, and the chief minister believes that this number could rise to 20 to 30 lakh, boosting the state’s economy and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
“With a population of around 40 lakh, the potential for growth in the cooperative sector is immense,” Saha remarked.
He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, especially since 2014, and with Home Minister Amit Shah’s focus on the Ministry of Cooperation, the cooperative sector in India has flourished.
“A significant number of people in Tripura are still not involved in cooperatives. We must make efforts to engage at least 20 to 30 lakh people in the sector,” Saha added.
The chief minister stressed that increased participation in cooperatives could resolve several socio-economic challenges facing the state, ultimately boosting economic growth.
He mentioned initiatives to strengthen Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACS) by computerizing them and creating multi-purpose PACS at the Panchayat level.
“Important initiatives have been launched at the Panchayat and village levels, including milk and fisheries cooperative societies, and the introduction of e-services through PACS,” he said.
Saha further emphasised the transformative potential of cooperatives, stating that developing this sector would not only strengthen the state but also contribute to making Tripura poverty-free and less corrupt.
“By focusing on cooperatives, we can build a stronger, more prosperous state,” he added.
The chief minister also highlighted the importance of public awareness in the cooperative movement, noting that many people are still unaware of its benefits.
“The cooperative movement is a bloodless revolution. Strengthening cooperatives, especially in rural areas, will drive the country’s financial progress,” he said.
Saha pointed out that India’s economic ranking has improved significantly, rising from 11th to 5th in the world, a feat accomplished under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
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“Our goal is to reach third place globally. The development of the cooperative sector will help us achieve this,” he remarked.
The state-level conference’s primary objective was to assess the successes of cooperatives in Tripura, identify shortcomings, and find solutions to enhance their effectiveness.
The event was attended by Cooperative Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, National Cooperative Union of India Chairman and former MP Dilip Sangani, National Cooperative Union of India Chief Executive Sudhir Mahajan, and other notable dignitaries.
