- Dhami launches ₹85 crore projects
- 671 cooperatives now digitized
- 1.7 lakh women as Lakhpati Didis
- Boost for cooperative banking
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Cooperative Fair in Pithoragarh to mark the “International Year of Cooperatives 2025,” launching and laying the foundation stones for development projects worth ₹85.14 crore. The event highlighted Uttarakhand’s expanding cooperative movement and its role in rural empowerment and economic inclusivity.
Strengthening Cooperative Institutions
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dhami said the newly launched projects will serve as milestones for the holistic progress of Pithoragarh district. He reminded the audience that the cooperative tradition in India is centuries old, evolving as a system of mutual assistance and self-reliance. As per several media sources, the United Nations has declared 2025 as the “International Year of Cooperatives” to promote global collaboration toward sustainable growth goals.
National Push for Cooperative Development
Dhami emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has institutionalized the cooperative vision by establishing a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation, led by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. This ministry is building a robust administrative, legal, and policy framework to strengthen the cooperative movement across India, according to media reports.
Uttarakhand Leading the Way
Uttarakhand was the first state to initiate computerization of multi-purpose cooperative societies. The Chief Minister shared that all 671 societies are now fully digitized, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Among them, 24 function as Jan Aushadhi Kendras, providing affordable and quality medicines to rural communities. Additionally, 640 have evolved into Common Service Centres, expanding access to essential services.
Empowering Farmers and Women
Under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Cooperative Farmer Welfare Scheme, farmers and self-help groups are receiving interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for ventures like dairy, fisheries, animal husbandry, and floriculture. Small and marginal farmers are also benefiting from interest-free crop loans of ₹1 lakh. Uttarakhand’s cooperative banks now hold deposits exceeding ₹16,000 crore — a testament to growing public trust.
The Chief Minister praised women’s increasing participation in cooperatives, noting that over 1.7 lakh women in the state have achieved the title of “Lakhpati Didi,” marking a major stride in economic self-reliance and empowerment through cooperative enterprises.
Dignitaries including Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta, MLAs Bishan Singh Chufal, Mayor Kalpana Dewlal, District Panchayat Chairperson Jitendra Prasad, BJP District President Girish Joshi, District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgaini, and Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav attended the event alongside large crowds of local residents.
The Cooperative Fair has reaffirmed Uttarakhand’s leadership in implementing technology-driven rural growth models and fostering community-led prosperity.
The focus on self-reliance through cooperation is likely to drive more youth and women toward entrepreneurship, strengthen rural credit systems, and expand Uttarakhand’s contribution to India’s national cooperative vision.
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