THEBUSINESSBYTE BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 29, 2026
"Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of
'Sahkar Se Samriddhi', Odisha is committed to strengthening the cooperative
movement by establishing at least one Agricultural Credit, Dairy or Fisheries
Cooperative Society in every Gram Panchayat, transforming Primary Agricultural
Cooperative Societies (PACS) into Multi-Purpose PACS, and leveraging Artificial
Intelligence and modern technology to build a vibrant, self-reliant cooperative
ecosystem," said Odisha's Minister for Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles
and Handicrafts, Pradeep Bal Samanta, while inaugurating the 5th Foundation Day
celebrations of the Ministry of Cooperation at Cooperative Bhavan in
Bhubaneswar on Monday.
Organised by the Odisha State Cooperative Union under the
guidance of the Department of Cooperation, Government of Odisha, the inaugural
celebration marked the beginning of a nationwide campaign being observed from
June 29 to July 6 to commemorate five years of the Ministry of Cooperation,
Government of India. The campaign seeks to deepen public participation in the
cooperative movement while showcasing the Ministry's achievements across the
country.
The Minister formally inaugurated the celebrations by hoisting
the Cooperative Flag at the Cooperative Bhavan premises, followed by a public
meeting attended by senior officials, cooperative leaders and members from
across the State.
Addressing the gathering, Samanta highlighted the State
Government's sustained efforts to accelerate the cooperative movement. He
informed that the process of establishing at least one cooperative society in
every Gram Panchayat is underway and that existing PACS are being upgraded into
Multi-Purpose PACS (M-PACS) to diversify business activities and improve rural
livelihoods. He also announced that the Odisha Cooperative Policy-2026 has been
drafted in alignment with the National Cooperative Policy-2025, providing a
robust roadmap for the sector's future growth.
The Minister emphasised that the week-long campaign will
focus on strengthening Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS),
honouring farmers, promoting Green Cooperatives through plantation drives,
encouraging greater participation of youth, students and women in the
cooperative movement, facilitating the formation of new cooperatives for the
younger generation, and integrating Artificial Intelligence and other advanced
technologies into cooperative institutions.
Manish Agrawal, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Odisha,
who attended as the Guest of Honour, spoke on strategies to transform
cooperative institutions into sustainable and profitable organisations through
improved governance and efficient management.
K. Sudarshan Chakraborty, Director of Agricultural Marketing
and Member Secretary, OSAM Board, stressed that robust infrastructure is the
foundation of a vibrant cooperative sector. He noted that the Department of
Cooperation has accorded top priority to infrastructure development over the
past two years to strengthen cooperative institutions across Odisha.
Presiding over the programme, Prabasini Sadangi, Chairperson
of the Odisha State Cooperative Union, expressed gratitude to the Minister, the
Department of Cooperation and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies for
entrusting the Union with the responsibility of organising the prestigious
inaugural event.
On the occasion, the Minister and other dignitaries released
a special edition of "Samabaya Samachar" and the Cooperative Circular
Book, published by the Odisha State Cooperative Union.
The successful organisation of the programme was supported by
members of the Union's Managing Committee, including Ranjan Kumar Das, Sunita
Pati (Secretary) and Brahmananda Parida (OSD).
The event witnessed the participation of Usharani Das,
Special Secretary, Department of Cooperation; Bishnupriya Sahu, Additional
Secretary; Surendra Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary-cum-Financial Adviser;
Bhaktabandhu Sahu, Additional Registrar; Rosalyn Senapati, Additional
Registrar; Sunita Satapathy, Additional Chief Auditor, along with senior
officials of the Cooperation Department, representatives of cooperative
institutions, employees, cooperative professionals and a large number of
cooperative members.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks
delivered by Sunita Pati, Secretary of the Odisha State Cooperative Union.
