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Himachal’s Cooperative Movement and its challenges...

Shimla/New Delhi, November 25 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted the potential of the ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ vision, which aims to make cooperative institutions self-reliant and robust.

This vision aligns with the broader push for rural prosperity and economic growth. Union Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah’s recently sheds light on how policy and administrative changes have revitalized cooperatives, making them pillars of the economy.

But in Himachal Pradesh, the cooperative sector still has untapped potential.

The state’s cooperative banks, led by the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (HPSCB), provide vital services to over 16 lakh people through 659 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS).

Despite this, cooperatives in the state have not fully reached farmers at the grassroots level. The sector is marred by inefficiencies, with many cooperatives serving as record-keeping institutions rather than grassroots movements benefiting farmers.

Himachal’s Missed Opportunities

While there are success stories like the Lahaul Potato Cooperative Society, Bhuttico. Kullu and the Bahali Cooperative Society in Kotgarh, these remain isolated examples.

The Lahaul Potato Cooperative once gained national recognition for organizing and marketing Lahaul's seed potatoes, but it has lost its shine due to recent controversies.

The Bahali Cooperative in Kotgarh empowered apple growers, but it too faces challenges. These examples highlight a lack of consistent efforts to strengthen cooperatives across the state.

Despite the potential, cooperatives in Himachal suffer from inadequate funding, technical support, and market access.

The situation is further compounded by the political influence over cooperative banks, with politicians and bureaucrats heading institutions rather than banking professionals.

This has hindered the growth of cooperatives and contributed to mounting defaults.

The Need for Action

Experts argue that adopting national reforms could bring much-needed change. Steps like digitization, streamlined governance, and targeted financial aid could empower small farmers and artisans.

In a state where agriculture, horticulture, and rural industries are critical, cooperatives could play a pivotal role in shaping the economy. But to unlock their potential, reforms are essential.

Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on the cooperative movement reflects a promising national vision.

However, Himachal Pradesh needs to align with this vision to ensure it doesn’t miss out on the transformative benefits of cooperatives. The success of cooperatives in Lahaul. Bhuttico, and Kotgarh could serve as a model for statewide reform.

Digital Transformation and Women Empowerment

In a positive development, Himachal Pradesh is pushing forward with a digital revolution in the cooperative sector.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who heads Cooperatives, recently announced the computerization of 870 cooperative societies, a move aimed at improving transparency and curbing irregularities.

The state has made notable progress in integrating digital tools, which have made cooperative operations more efficient and accessible, especially in underserved regions.

Himachal’s cooperative sector spans over 5,000 societies across various sectors, including agriculture, dairy, handlooms, and credit.

These societies play a crucial role in rural empowerment, particularly through women-led initiatives. Cooperatives in sectors like handicrafts and micro-enterprises are helping women achieve financial independence while strengthening community bonds.

The Road Ahead

As the state moves forward with its digital and governance reforms, it is also focused on expanding marketing support for agricultural produce and integrating Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

The success of cooperatives like Shikhar Handloom and Pathiyar Agricultural Society, which were recently awarded the Cooperative Excellence Award, demonstrates the potential of this sector.

These success stories inspire greater youth participation and highlight the role of cooperatives in fostering rural development.

Himachal Pradesh is setting a national benchmark in cooperative governance and innovation.

If the state continues on this path, cooperatives can become powerful tools for economic growth, bridging the gap between rural aspirations and modern economic growth drivers.

But for this to happen, the state must actively reform and strengthen its cooperative institutions making them transparent bringing them into ambit of annual audits.

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The mainstream media houses dominated by the city- centric editors have been indifferent to the problems and issues faced by the Himalayan people down the centuries. HimbuMail is born to fill this gap and seeks to become their real voice.

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