Patna: Dr. Prem Kumar, Minister of the Department of Cooperation, inaugurated the 71st All India Cooperative Week at the Deep Narayan Singh Cooperative Regional Training Institute in Patna. The event kicked off with the hoisting of the cooperative flag and the singing of the cooperative song. The theme for this year’s week-long celebration, running from 14 to 20 November 2024, is “Role of Cooperation in Building a Developed India.” Activities will be organised at various levels, including state, district, block, and panchayat.
In his address, Dr. Prem Kumar emphasised the vital role of cooperation in driving social, cultural, and economic progress. He highlighted key initiatives such as the launch of paddy procurement to ensure minimum support prices for farmers, the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and the creation of service centres at PACS. The Minister also commended the Chief Minister Adarsh PACS Protsahan Yojana, which rewards well-performing PACS and encouraged youth, women, and marginalised communities to engage in the cooperative movement to take advantage of its employment opportunities.
During the event, Shweta Kujur, Regional Director of NCDC, gave a presentation on the evolution and challenges faced by the cooperative movement in Bihar. Surajdev, President of Bavanwuti Weavers Cooperative Societies in Nalanda, and Ashok Kumar, who shared insights on the success of honey processing cooperatives, also spoke at the event. The cooperative week was simultaneously launched across District Central Cooperative Banks, Vyapar Mandals, PACS, and related bank branches in the state.
Senior officials, including Smt. Inayat Khan, Registrar of Cooperative Societies; Prabhat Kumar, Additional Registrar; and Manoj Kumar Singh, Managing Director of Bihar State Cooperative Bank, were also present at the inauguration.
