Pune, August 6, 2023: In a significant move aimed at advancing the cooperative movement in India, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated the digital portal of the Central Registrar of Credit Societies (CRCS) office today in Pune, Maharashtra. This momentous event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, and Union Minister of State for Ministry of Cooperation, Shri B L Verma.
In his address, Shri Amit Shah underscored the profound influence of cooperative culture, which originally emanated from Maharashtra. He emphasized that Maharashtra’s cooperative model has been instrumental in propelling the cooperative movement forward in India. Furthermore, he noted that the cooperative movement has flourished predominantly in regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, which were part of the erstwhile Mumbai state. Against this backdrop, the digitization of the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies in Pune, Maharashtra, was deemed imperative.
Shri Shah emphasized the significance of this digital transformation, which will encompass all facets of cooperative society operations, including registration, bylaw amendments, auditing, monitoring, election processes, human resources development, vigilance, and training. This comprehensive portal aims to enhance transparency and streamline the functioning of cooperative societies across the nation.
The Union Minister of Cooperation also highlighted Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi,” emphasizing that the cooperative movement plays a pivotal role in improving the lives of the underprivileged. He praised the Modi government’s efforts in providing essential facilities to millions of impoverished citizens, including housing, electricity, clean drinking water, gas cylinders, sanitation, health insurance, and subsidized food grains. Shri Shah also commended the government’s initiative to connect previously marginalized individuals to the formal economy by facilitating the opening of bank accounts.
Shri Amit Shah emphasized that cooperatives provide a platform for individuals with limited capital to collectively establish substantial enterprises, thereby fostering economic progress.
Regarding the recent amendments to the Multistate Cooperative Societies Act, Shri Shah highlighted the inclusion of electoral reforms, financial discipline measures, arrangements for ease of doing business, and accountability measures for cooperative governance. He noted that these reforms would improve transparency and end nepotism, enabling young talent to participate actively in the cooperative movement.
The Union Minister of Cooperation further disclosed plans to create three lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across India in the next five years, thus extending the cooperative movement to every village. He highlighted the computerization of PACS, which now serve as Common Service Centers (CSCs) with versatile capabilities. Shri Shah also mentioned the approval of a multidimensional storage scheme, urging Maharashtra to leverage this opportunity to establish cooperative storage facilities in every Tehsil.
Additionally, he announced the ongoing creation of the National Cooperative Database, a New Cooperative Policy, and the establishment of a cooperative university to offer technical education in this sector.
Concluding his address, Shri Amit Shah called for a concerted effort to give fresh impetus to the cooperative movement, with the objective of contributing significantly to India’s economic growth and prosperity. He celebrated the removal of disparities in treatment between cooperatives and corporates and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting the cooperative sector.
This digital portal launch marks a pivotal milestone in the cooperative movement’s journey, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a prosperous India through cooperative participation.