In a landmark development for India’s cooperative sector, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will unveil the National Cooperative Policy 2025 today at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan.
Calling it a historic milestone, Shah posted on social media platform X, saying the new policy will pave the way for a cooperative ecosystem driven by innovation, modern technology, and youth participation.
“Today is a historic day for India’s cooperative sector. Under Modi ji’s leadership, the country will get the new ‘National Cooperation Policy 2025’, which will prepare the cooperative movement for the future,” he wrote.
According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the new policy is designed to revitalise and modernise the cooperative sector, aligning it with the vision of ‘Prosperity through Cooperation’ and the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. The policy focuses on empowering grassroots institutions and enabling inclusive economic growth, especially in rural India.
India’s first National Cooperative Policy was introduced in 2002. However, over the past two decades, rapid globalisation and technological advancements have reshaped the socio-economic landscape, necessitating a forward-looking policy framework.
The 2025 policy aims to make cooperative institutions:
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More inclusive and professionally managed
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Prepared for future challenges
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Capable of generating large-scale rural employment and livelihood opportunities
The new policy was drafted by a 48-member national-level committee chaired by former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu. It included representatives from national and state cooperative federations, cooperative societies across various sectors, central and state government departments, and academicians.
In a comprehensive and participatory approach, the committee held 17 meetings and four regional workshops in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Patna. It received 648 suggestions from stakeholders nationwide, many of which have been incorporated into the final draft.
Key stakeholders including committee members, chairpersons and managing directors of national cooperative unions, senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation, NCDC, NCCT, and VAMNICOM will attend the unveiling ceremony.
(Agencies)