International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the program “Cooperation Among Cooperative” at Raj Bhavan, Dehradun

‘Cooperation Among Cooperative’ Program, Raj Bhavan Dehradun (17 Sept 2025)
On the occasion of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the program “Cooperation Among Cooperative” was held at Raj Bhavan, Dehradun, in the gracious presence of Hon’ble Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) and Hon’ble Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Two important Memorandums of Understanding were signed during the event. The first, between the Indian Cooperative Society Limited and the Uttarakhand State Cooperative Federation, will boost seed production and distribution, while the second, with the National Cooperative Export Society, will connect state cooperatives and farmers to wider markets.
The Governor and Chief Minister also launched two new schemes – the Loan Policy of Uttarakhand State Cooperative Bank and the Commercial Real Estate–Housing Loan Policy. Jasapur’s Fikapar MPAX and the Dehradun main branch of the District Cooperative Bank were honored for their outstanding work, and cheques were distributed to beneficiaries of the Deendayal Upadhyay Cooperative Farmer Welfare Scheme.
In his address, the Governor said cooperation is a collective movement of shared benefit, participation, and responsibility. Rooted in Indian philosophy and the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” cooperation has been central to our way of life. He praised women self-help groups for becoming economic backbones and youth for modernizing cooperatives through startups, organic farming, and digital platforms. He also highlighted the role of Uttarakhand’s cooperatives in supplying essentials to the Army and paramilitary forces as a mark of both capacity and service to the nation.
The Chief Minister described cooperation as one of humanity’s oldest and most valuable principles and a powerful medium for inclusive development. He noted that Uttarakhand pioneered the computerization of cooperative societies, completing all 671 societies, with many now functioning as Jan Aushadhi Kendras and Common Service Centers. Data from over 3,800 societies has been uploaded to the National Cooperative Database, ensuring transparency. Since February 2023, 800 PACS, 248 dairy societies, and 116 fishery societies have been established. Farmers are receiving interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakhs, cooperative banks now hold deposits above ₹16,000 crores, and more than 1.63 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis, setting new benchmarks in empowerment.
He recalled the Global Cooperative Conference held in India in 2024 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who established a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation. Under the guidance of Union Minister Amit Shah, the cooperative movement is being strengthened nationwide.
Cooperation Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat highlighted that Uttarakhand is the first state to provide interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakhs to women self-help groups, with nearly 2 lakh Lakhpati Didis already and a target of 4 lakh by 2026. Uttarakhand has also become the first state to ensure 33 percent reservation for women in cooperatives.
The event also saw addresses by Director of Cooperation (GoI) Shri Kapil Meena and Cooperation Secretary Dr. B.V.R.C. Purushottam, along with the presence of Registrar Dr. Mehrban Singh Bisht, Additional Registrar Mrs. Ira Upreti, senior officials, cooperative bankers, women SHG members, and dignitaries from across the state.