Latest news with #InternationalDayofCooperatives
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Former MP calls for setting up panel to revive cooperative sector in Puducherry
Former MP and Puducherry Maanila Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (PMMMK) president M. Ramadass has urged the government to constitute a committee of experts to evolve a road map for the development of the cooperative sector in Puducherry. In a statement, Mr. Ramadass pointed out that in the assessment of the Union Ministry of Cooperation, Puducherry lags behind among 28 States and 8 Union Territories. The government should rectify the situation by charting out a road map for the growth of cooperatives, focused on the primary cooperative networks, digital infrastructure, policy reforms and prosperity of communities, especially, farmers and labourers. Stating that the government had missed an occasion to reflect on the state of the cooperative sector during the celebration of International Day of Cooperatives recently, Mr. Ramadass felt that the movement which had struck deep roots over the course of seven decades in sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, fisheries, weaving, sugar mills, public distribution system and consumer welfare, was today crippled by multiple problems. 'The movement, which should have been a people's movement by the people and for the people, has become a bureaucratic one defeating the principles of cooperation,' he said. There was no Cooperative Election Commission to hold periodic and regular elections to cooperatives and to ensure the rule of the members. More often than not, the officials of the Department act as Administrators of the societies as a result of which the members were reduced to strangers in their own institutions. In the absence of elected committees, central and higher-level societies were operating according to the whimsical and arbitrary orders of politicians. Moreover, the activities of the societies have not been audited periodically and neither the politicians nor the officials of the Department owned accountability for not holding elections, annual meetings and conducting auditing, he added. As a result of political interference and administrative incompetence, several cooperative spinning mills and sugar mills had turned defunct, he said. The Cooperative Advisory Committee as mandated in the Puducherry Cooperative Act 1972 has not been formed. The number of officers has not increased in consonance with the growth of the cooperative sector and consequently the workload has increased and hampered the cooperative department from performing its duties properly, Mr. Ramadass said.
Saba Yemen
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Social Affairs Ministry organizes event on International Day of Cooperatives
Sana'a – Saba: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor organized a commemorative event on Sunday on the occasion of the International Day of Cooperatives, under the slogan "Cooperatives: Sustainable Solutions for Building a Better Future," in collaboration with partners in cooperative and developmental work. During the event, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Scholar Mohammed Muftah, emphasized the importance of cooperative work in nation-building through expansion in agricultural, industrial, educational, construction, and development fields. He praised the organization of the event to establish the principles of cooperation as a culture, religion, heritage, and civilizational legacy. He stressed the need to regulate cooperative work legally, morally, and ethically at all levels. Muftah noted that Yemen is inherently a cooperative society, as evidenced by its collaboration in various aspects of work, such as transforming mountains into agricultural terraces, which expanded Yemen's farmland manyfold. He called for organizing a conference to activate cooperative work, yielding practical results that reflect the orientations of the Revolution Leader in advancing human development. He also touched on the anniversary of the Karbala tragedy, which reflected the dangerous deviation in the nation's history, and drew parallels to the current violations in Gaza, where bloodshed, starvation, and Arab and Islamic inaction persist amid Western and Arab complicity—necessitating cooperation to correct the situation. Mohammed Al-Durra, Deputy Head of the Shura Council, attended the event, where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration and Rural Development Mohammed Al-Madani commended the Ministry of Social Affairs' efforts in developing cooperative work. He highlighted the significant attention given to cooperatives despite current challenges. Al-Madani discussed the social and economic role of cooperative associations in development, noting that social affairs offices and cooperatives in provinces manage completed cooperative projects across various fields. He stressed Yemen's need to document cooperative efforts, especially during years of aggression and siege, evaluate experiences, and develop them further. He also emphasized the necessity of a cooperative work strategy to adapt to changes and meet needs at all levels. The event was attended by Dr. Ali Sheiban, Minister of Health and Environment, and Fahd Al-Azzi, Deputy Director of the Presidential Office. Samir Bajjalah, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, noted that the event coincided with Ashura, urging lessons to be drawn in unity and cooperation to restore the nation's role in facing current challenges. Bajjalah affirmed the ministry's commitment to promoting cooperative principles in social work, highlighting that state leaders' participation reflects their dedication to advancing social work and empowering the ministry. He urged social affairs offices in provinces to cooperate with local authorities to achieve sustainable development. Ali Al-Razami, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs for Development, stressed the need for collaborative efforts among partners to elevate cooperatives as a fundamental pillar in societal progress and national economic growth. He noted the revolutionary leadership and Supreme Political Council's interest in cooperatives, including establishing productive associations for agricultural supplies, transformative industries, and livestock, while reactivating and correcting previous cooperative projects. Al-Razami highlighted the ministry's efforts through workshops for governors , local authorities, developing a model system for multi-purpose cooperatives, and creating a comprehensive database. The ministry also seeks to complete cooperative legislation, establish a cooperative institute for capacity building, and hold consultative meetings with government bodies and associations to assess the current state of cooperative work. Mubarak Al-Qaili, Head of the Cooperative and Agricultural Union, emphasized cooperatives' vital role in development and crisis response. He considered the event a key step to advancing cooperative work across fields and expanding production. He urged associations to seize the opportunity to activate their role, despite challenges such as stalled projects that require collective solutions. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Cooperative societies: Key to equitable development
Cooperative societies have a long history spanning more than a century in India. The concept of collaboration and cooperative activity was widespread throughout our nation even before legislation established cooperative organisations. It existed in the form of building assets like community tanks as well as community-managed forests in villages. Different regions had varied forms of cooperation, such as kuris, chit funds, bhishies, and phads. There have been instances of villagers pooling food grains after an enduring harvest to lend to those in need before the next harvest. On International Day of Cooperatives, observed on July 5, let's look at the emergence of cooperative organisations and their contributions to the welfare of the people in the country. What are cooperative societies? They are an independent or self-governed group of people who voluntarily come together to work for economic, social and cultural goals through a collectively owned business. Cooperative societies are formed to help their members, who are mainly from the economically weaker sections. The different types of cooperative societies include agricultural cooperatives, consumer cooperatives, housing cooperatives, and banking cooperatives. Modern cooperative movement in India In the late 19th Century, the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution shaped the modern cooperative movement in India. The rural population was widely displaced, with many choosing agriculture as a means of livelihood. However, this did not solve their issues – farmers faced mounting challenges like erratic rainfall, leading to poor crop yield, and a growing dependence on moneylenders who offered them high-interest loans. Taking cognisance of these challenges, a committee, appointed by the government of India and headed by Sir Edward Law, enacted the Cooperative Credit Societies Act on March 25, 1904, which outlined the framework for establishing cooperative societies, registration, liabilities, etc. In the same year, on August 21, India's first cooperative society was established at Tirur in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. Then in 1912, the Cooperatives Societies Act addressed the shortcomings of the 1904 Act, broadening the focus to encompass handloom weavers, marketing groups, and other artisan societies. The first Cooperative Housing Society, the Madras Cooperative Union in 1914, the Bombay Central Cooperative Institute in 1918, and other establishments in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Punjab, and other states emerged following the 1912 Act, further fuelling the impetus of the cooperative movement. The success story of Amul Prior to 1946, India's dairy industry was highly unorganised. Milk collection and distribution were controlled by private traders and merchants who exploited the poor farmers by arbitrarily fixing low procurement costs. During this time, the demand for milk was high in cities, but the transportation and preservation of something as perishable as milk was a herculean task for the dairy farmers. To end the persistent woes, dairy farmers in the districts of Anand and Kheta came together to form cooperatives to have more control over the production and sale of milk. These cooperatives grew into the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., which later came to be known as Amul, marking the beginning of the White Revolution. It was established under the supervision of Indian independence activist and lawyer Tribhuvandas Patel. It was Dr Verghese Kurien and H.M. Dalaya who expanded the scope and development of the cooperative. Amul, which stands as an abbreviation for Anand Milk Union Ltd., empowered the small farmers by establishing a three-tier structure to form a hierarchical network. The three-tier structure involved having village cooperatives at the local level, district cooperatives at the district level, and a state federation at the state level. Milk collected by the village cooperatives from farmers is sold to the district cooperatives who sell aggregated milk to the state federation. The state federation then sells the milk and milk products under the Amul brand across India. In addition, the district and state federations played a pivotal role in providing managerial and technical support to the village cooperatives. Farmers now gained access to high-end technology and greater bargaining power. They also had access to loans and insurance and other financial incentives from banks through cooperatives. Consumers also had access to high-quality and affordable dairy products. All in all, this decentralisation shaped the course of Amul to become one of the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brands in India. How have cooperative societies helped in the rural economy of India? As India houses 65% of its population in rural India, with agriculture and dairy farming as a source of livelihood for farmers, cooperative sectors have played a significant role in the upliftment of the rural economy by fostering financial inclusion – giving farmers access to credit and financial services and offering loans to those who might not qualify for availing loans from commercial banks. One such example is the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) providing credit, input supply, and other financial services to farmers. By supporting local industries, cooperative societies are instrumental in the creation of jobs, leading to a rise in economic activities in the area. With over 8,00,000 cooperative societies categorised in 29 different sectors, India has the highest number of cooperative societies in the world. Several initiatives, including the computerisation of PACS, tax benefits to the cooperative societies, participation of PACS in LPG distributorship, and the convergence of the PM Kusum scheme, have been launched by the government, further strengthening and expanding the model of cooperative network worldwide.
News18
05-07-2025
- Business
- News18
International Day of Cooperatives 2025: Theme, History, Significance And Quotes
International Day of Cooperatives 2025: Also known as #CoopsDay, International Day Of Cooperatives, serves as a powerful reminder of the collective strength of people working together toward shared goals. Celebrated globally on the first Saturday of July, this annual event highlights the vital role cooperatives play in fostering economic growth, social inclusion and sustainable development. In 2025, it will be observed on Saturday, July 5. Cooperatives are more than just economic entities; they are community-driven institutions that empower individuals, encourage democratic participation and support both local and global development. Whether in agriculture, finance, education, or healthcare, cooperatives create resilient networks where people help one another, putting values like solidarity, equality and mutual aid into action.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Gujarat's women-led dairy societies surges by 21%, revenue hits 9,000 cr
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India] July 4 (ANI): Under the leadership of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has successfully translated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women's empowerment into actionable initiatives. By prioritising the cooperative model, the state has not only enhanced women's leadership in the rural economy but also strengthened the cooperative sector. This approach, guided by Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, emphasises the vital role of economically and socially empowering women as part of building a self-reliant India. Through these efforts, Gujarat exemplifies how cooperative models can uplift communities and foster sustainable development. On the occasion of International Cooperative Day, the Government of Gujarat released inspiring statistics showcasing the rising participation of women in cooperatives across the state. According to the release, between 2020 and 2025, the number of women-led dairy cooperative societies grew by 21% from 3,764 to 4,562. According to the Gujarat Cooperation Department, women's leadership in the dairy sector is increasing significantly. In the year 2025, the board of the milk union had 25% of women as 82 directors, which reflects their active participation in the policy-making of milk unions. Furthermore, out of 36 lakh dairy producer members in Gujarat, approximately 12 lakh are women, accounting for nearly 32% of the total. Not only that, during the same period, women's participation in the management committees of village-level cooperative societies has increased by 14%. The number of women in these committees has risen from 70,200 to 80,000, as stated in the release. These women are now actively taking on key responsibilities such as policymaking, operations, and monitoring at the grassroots cooperative level. On the special occasion of International Day of Cooperatives, data shared by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF) reveals that milk procurement by women-led dairy cooperative societies in Gujarat has increased by 39%, from 41 lakh litres per day in 2020 to 57 lakh litres per day in 2025. This now accounts for approximately 26% of the state's total milk procurement. Women-led dairy cooperatives in Gujarat have not only become a symbol of social transformation but also a significant contributor to the rural economy. In 2020, these cooperatives had an estimated daily revenue of 17 crore, amounting to approximately 6,310 crore annually. Over the past five years, this figure has risen to 25 crore per day by 2025, surpassing the estimated annual revenue of 9,000 crore. This reflects a remarkable increase of 2,700 crore in revenue, a 43% growth during this period. This success stands as a strong testament to the empowerment of women through the cooperative model. (ANI)
