Ahmedabad, Gujarat – The recently concluded Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad witnessed an impressive gathering of cooperative leaders and stakeholders from across Gujarat. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, delivered a comprehensive address at the “Role of Cooperatives in Building a Viksit Bharat” conference organized by the Gujarat State Cooperative Federation. The Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad was also graced by many dignitaries including Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel.
During his address at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad, Shri Amit Shah highlighted that the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. He emphasized that the concept of cooperatives remains as relevant today as it was in the year 1900. The Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad served as a platform for Shah to announce that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, a significant initiative to revitalize India’s cooperative movement began in 2021, which is why the International Year of Cooperatives will be launched from India.
Key Principles Highlighted at Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad
The Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad featured discussions on two guiding principles introduced by the Modi government since 2021: “Sahkar se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation) and “The Role of Cooperation in Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). Shah mentioned that the cooperative conference in Gujarat was organized as part of this broader initiative.
A crucial point emphasized during the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad was that the cooperative sector cannot be truly strengthened unless the benefits of reforms reach the grassroots level, particularly Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and farmers. The Minister stressed at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad that promoting cooperative institutions is essential, with a focus on bringing awareness, training, and transparency to all types of cooperative organizations.
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Focus on Science and Innovation in Cooperation
During the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad, the Union Minister of Cooperation outlined that the Government of India has placed special emphasis on the “Science of Cooperation” and “Science in Cooperation” for the International Cooperative Year. He noted that India’s cooperative movement, which originated during the freedom struggle, had gradually declined and almost disappeared in many regions of the country.
The Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad heard Shah’s call for collective responsibility to expand the cooperative movement to every state and district across India. He suggested that the condition of primary cooperative societies in all states should improve, district-level institutions should be strengthened, and through these efforts, the cooperative framework at both state and national levels would be reinforced.
Four-Tier Cooperative Structure Announced at Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad
One of the most significant announcements at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad was that a fourth tier has been added to the traditional global three-tier cooperative structure. Shah emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation nationwide by strengthening national institutions related to every cooperative activity, state-level cooperative institutions, district-level institutions, and primary cooperative societies across all sectors.
The Minister conveyed to attendees at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad that the International Year of Cooperatives presents an opportune moment to achieve this expansion and strengthening of the cooperative framework.
Three Pillars of the Cooperative Campaign
At the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad, Shri Amit Shah outlined that the entire cooperative campaign rests on three foundational pillars:
- Integrating cooperation into the mainstream of governance
- Bringing transparency and authenticity to the cooperative movement through technology
- Accelerating the process of connecting more citizens with the cooperative movement
Shah informed the gathering at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad that these three pillars would be the focus during the Cooperative Year, with approximately 57 different initiatives already launched by the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives: A Key Theme at Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad
The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stressed at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad the need to implement the concept of “Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives” at the primary level across the entire country, including Gujarat. This approach would ensure that all cooperative institutions function in coordination with other cooperatives.
The Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad heard Shah’s recommendation that all primary cooperative societies, dairies, and similar organizations should maintain their bank accounts with district cooperative banks. He emphasized the need to promote cooperation among all cooperative institutions and accelerate this collaborative effort.
Education and Strengthening of PACS Discussed at Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad
During the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad, Shah announced that the Modi government has established Tribhuvan Sahakari University, which will operate at the national level. He indicated that education related to all areas of cooperation is now being structured around the concept of cooperatives in every state of the country.
A critical point made at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad was that the cooperative framework cannot be strengthened unless Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are strengthened. The Minister revealed that the Modi government has decided to establish a PACS in every panchayat of the country by 2029, which would result in the registration of 2 lakh new PACS and dairies.
Furthermore, attendees at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad learned that the government has integrated approximately 22 different activities with PACS. Shah also mentioned that the government would soon introduce policies for:
- Settlement of PACS that have gone into liquidation
- Establishment of new PACS
Future Initiatives Announced at Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad
Concluding his address at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad, the Union Minister of Cooperation stated that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, many new initiatives would be launched in the cooperative sector. He urged participants to leverage the International Cooperative Year 2025 to:
- Spread awareness among all people
- Set new dimensions of transparency
- Conduct proper recruitments
These efforts, as outlined at the Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad, would collectively strengthen the cooperative structure throughout the country.
Significance of Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad in the National Cooperative Movement
The Mega Sammelan Ahmedabad has emerged as a significant milestone in India’s journey toward revitalizing its cooperative sector. By choosing Gujarat, a state with a strong cooperative heritage, for this important gathering, the government has signaled its commitment to building on existing cooperative successes while expanding the model nationwide.
The discussions and announcements made during the Maha Sammelan Ahmedabad align perfectly with India’s vision of achieving Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. By strengthening cooperatives at every level—from the panchayat to the national stage—the government aims to create a more inclusive and equitable economic framework that benefits farmers, artisans, and small producers across the country.
As the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 approaches, the blueprint presented at the Mega Sammelan provides a clear roadmap for stakeholders at all levels to contribute to this transformative movement. With strong political will, technological integration, and grassroots participation, the cooperative sector is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s development journey as envisioned during this important gathering in Ahmedabad.
The Mega Sammelan has thus set the stage for a cooperative renaissance in India, with far-reaching implications for rural prosperity, agricultural productivity, and inclusive growth in the years to come.
