Finalization of National Co-op Policy gains pace; Secretary briefs Shah

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a high level meeting at the head office of the Union Ministry of Cooperation last week, in which discussions about the new National Cooperative Policy were held, among other things.

Tweeting about the meeting Union Ministry of Cooperation wrote, “On 13th July 2024, a high-level meeting was chaired by the Hon’ble Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri @AmitShah, during which the new National Cooperation Policy was discussed”.

It is gathered that during the meeting, Union Minister of Cooperation Secretary Ashish Bhutani presented a detailed review on the new National Cooperative Policy to Shah and other two Union Ministers of State of Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Murlidhar Mohol.

Bhutani apprised the ministers of the recommendations of the committee, led by former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, who had been tasked with drafting the new Cooperation Policy and who had submitted a draft copy to Shah for his consideration.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will review the draft document and would give his response in a couple of days, informed sources close to the MoC.

It bears recalling that while addressing a cooperative conference in Gandhinagar last week, Shah announced the new NCP would be introduced next month.

The National Cooperative Policy is a significant initiative by the Ministry, aiming to lay the foundations for a robust cooperative movement that extends beyond states and regional boundaries.

Key aspects of the policy include structural reforms and governance, positioning cooperatives as dynamic economic entities, creating a level playing field, ensuring access to capital and funding, prioritizing inclusivity, leveraging technology, focusing on  upskilling and training, sustainability, and detailed implementation plans.

The overarching goal of the National Cooperative Policy (NCP) is to fulfil the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sahakar se Samriddhi,” translating to “Prosperity through Cooperation.”

The draft offers the roadmap for the next 25 years i.e. from 2024-2047 for the cooperative sector.

The NCP also proposed to come up with new apex bodies such as Development Financial Institution, National Cooperative University, Centre for Excellence, National Cooperative Recruitment Board, National Cooperative Audit & Accounting Board, National Cooperative Tribunal and others.