After the top-level co-operators and the Union Minister Amit Shah, it was the turn of Union Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh to underline the importance of cooperative movement in making India, the third largest economy in the world.
Singh was speaking at a function in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra on Thursday when he asserted that the creation of a separate Ministry of Cooperation underscores the importance the Government gives to the co-operative sector, and it has revived and strengthened the sector.
The Minister said “For his third term, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a guarantee to the nation that India will be among the top 3 economies of the world, and cooperative societies across the country are going to play a vital role in this journey. Only co-operatives will lead India towards economic prosperity.”
“Co-operative is a flourishing sector today. It is not only mentioned in our Constitution but under the leadership of the Prime Minister, a separate Ministry of Co-operation has also been created to promote the co-operative movement”, said Rajnath Singh.
Many cooperative societies like NAFED, IFFCO, and AMUL have played a crucial role in the social and economic development of the farmers. Such societies have not confined themselves only to the agriculture sector, but they are also spreading their wings in the banking sector, he underlined.
Singh also lauded the role being played by the FPOs and said farmers are now working in an organized way. FPOs are bound to play an essential role in the development of farmers and the farming sector, he stressed.
“We are also strengthening urban and rural cooperative banks under the scheme. Our efforts through this scheme will help in creating a strong co-operative movement in the entire country. ‘Prosperity through cooperation’ is not just our plan, it is our mantra,” said Raksha Mantri.
Raksha Mantri said, “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort that the government will make efforts to make about two crore women Lakhpati Didi by helping SHGs. Our Lakhpati Didis will also create employment in rural areas of the country.”
