Focus on strengthening cooperative ecosystem
DH NEWS SERVICE
UDHAMPUR, May 4
A meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee was convened in Udhampur under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa to deliberate on strategies aimed at strengthening the cooperative movement in the district and enhancing its outreach at the grassroots level. The meeting focused on improving coordination among departments and expanding the role of cooperative institutions in promoting local economic growth. The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Jugal Kishore, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Dr. Umesh Shan, ACP Dr. Ashwani Hansa, Deputy Registrar Cooperatives Nishtha Nayyar, along with officers from various line departments and representatives of banking institutions. Their participation reflected a collective effort to address challenges and identify opportunities within the cooperative sector.
At the outset, the Deputy Registrar Cooperatives presented a detailed overview of the initiatives currently being undertaken to strengthen the cooperative framework in the district. She highlighted various awareness programmes organized to promote cooperative societies and to educate the public about their benefits, including financial inclusion, community participation, and economic empowerment.
During the discussion, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need for greater synergy between the Cooperative Department and other line departments to ensure the effective implementation of awareness campaigns. He directed the concerned authorities to intensify their efforts in sensitizing the public about the advantages of forming and participating in cooperative societies.
Special emphasis was laid on promoting local products such as garlic, guchi mushroom, and jaggery, with a focus on improving market linkages and ensuring better returns for producers. The Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of developing strong value chains, particularly for high-value produce like guchi, to enhance the income of local farmers and entrepreneurs.
He further instructed the officers to take concrete steps to revitalize inactive cooperative societies and explore new avenues for business expansion. Suggestions included establishing cooperatives in sectors such as petrol pumps and handmade local products, which could generate employment and strengthen the rural economy. Improving operational efficiency and ensuring transparency in functioning were also highlighted as key priorities.
Underscoring the importance of building a robust cooperative ecosystem, the Deputy Commissioner assured full support from the District Administration in achieving the desired objectives. He reiterated that a strong cooperative movement can play a vital role in inclusive development and in improving the socio-economic conditions of the local population.
