The NCUI, in collaboration with the Sikkim State Cooperative Union (SICUN) and the Cooperative Department, Government of Sikkim, organized a State-Level Conference on the Promotion and Development of Cooperatives at the SICUN Auditorium. The event brought together over 200 delegates from various cooperatives across the state.
The conference was graced by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) as the Chief Guest, with Arun Kumar Upreti, Minister of Rural Development and Cooperation, Government of Sikkim, as the Guest of Honor. Other prominent attendees included NCUI President Dileep Sanghani, ICA-AP President Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav, NCUI Vice President Dr. Bijender Singh, and SICUN Chairman Mangaljit Rai, along with senior officials from the Sikkim State Government and NCUI Governing Council.
Dr. Sudhir Mahajan, Chief Executive of NCUI, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing NCUI’s role in strengthening the cooperative movement in India. He outlined various initiatives launched by the Ministry of Cooperation to support cooperatives nationwide.
In his address, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support for cooperatives. He announced a cash prize scheme for the top three performing cooperatives in Sikkim, with Rs 10 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh awards to be presented annually on August 15. He urged youth participation in the cooperative sector and expressed his vision of making Sikkim a leading cooperative-driven state, akin to Gujarat.
In his remarks, NCUI President Dileep Sanghani welcomed the Chief Minister and the Cooperation Minister, reaffirming NCUI’s commitment to expanding cooperative networks in Sikkim. He lauded the Central Government’s initiative to establish Tribhuvan Cooperative University, a significant step toward enhancing cooperative education.
ICA-AP President Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav stressed the crucial role of cooperatives in empowering marginalized communities. He urged Sikkimese cooperatives to strengthen their marketing strategies and recommended integrating cooperative studies into school and college curricula.
Gloria Namchu, Secretary of the Cooperation Department, Government of Sikkim, provided an overview of key cooperative initiatives in the state. She highlighted projects such as funding for Van Dhan Societies and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), micro ATMs for dairy cooperatives, PACS computerization, the registration of Yak Growers Cooperatives, and the formation of Cherry Blossom Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). She also discussed programs like the Ek Per Maa Ke Naam initiative and Cooperative Rallies aimed at promoting cooperative awareness.
State Cooperation Minister Arun Kumar Upreti expressed gratitude to the Union Ministry, NCUI, and SICUN for their continued support. He underscored Sikkim’s efforts to gain national and international recognition for its cooperatives and called for collective action to further strengthen the movement.
A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of winners from the State-Level Youth Workshop on Cooperation (Cooperative Olympiad), which was organized by NCUI and SICUN at CAEPHT, Gangtok. The winners were honored by the Chief Minister in recognition of their achievements.
The conference concluded with a vote of thanks by SICUN Chairman Mangaljit Rai, who requested government support for SICUN, including a one-time corpus fund, honorariums for primary cooperative secretaries, and a designated SICUN Haat stall at MG Road to promote cooperative products. The event marked a significant step in furthering Sikkim’s cooperative movement and strengthening its contribution to the state’s economic development.
