Gangtok, March 5 (IPR):The fifth meeting of the State Cooperative Development Committee was convened today at the Conference Hall of Tashiling Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Mr R Telang. The Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to coordinate and promote the development of cooperative societies in the State, with a focus on strengthening the cooperative movement as an effective means for rural development.
Principal Registrar-cum-Secretary, Cooperation Department Ms Jabi Thapa delivered a comprehensive presentation on the status and progress of the cooperative sector in the State. She informed that there are presently 3,745 cooperative societies registered in the State, of which 1,418 are functional, 2,082 are non-functional and 245 are under the process of closure, with a total membership of 87,792.
Ms Thapa further reviewed the Centrally Sponsored Schemes being implemented under the Ministry of Cooperation. These include the computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), computerisation of the Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies and the development of the National Cooperative Database. She also highlighted initiatives undertaken for the establishment of new PACS, dairy and fisheries cooperative societies in Gram Panchayat Units where such societies are yet to be established.
She also elaborated on efforts to transform PACS into vibrant economic entities by facilitating convergence with various government schemes and services. Progress in cooperative banking in the State was also highlighted, including developments related to the Sikkim State Cooperative Bank (SISCO) and the Citizen Urban Cooperative Bank.
Under the theme Cooperation among Cooperatives, Ms Thapa highlighted initiatives such as opening of accounts in cooperative banks, strengthening linkages with allied services and promoting membership of State cooperative societies in national-level cooperative institutions. She also briefed the Committee on initiatives related to the White Revolution 2.0.
Ms Thapa further informed the Committee about the formulation of the Sikkim State Cooperative Policy 2026 and various measures undertaken by the department for strengthening and revitalising cooperative societies across the State.
She also reviewed the progress of the Cooperative Farming initiative introduced following directions of Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang during the International Year of Cooperatives programme. She concluded her presentation with an overview of the dividends distributed by cooperative societies for the financial year 2024–25.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary, Agriculture Department Dr S Anbalagan; Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department Dr Sharman Rai; Secretary (Revenue), Finance Department Mr Rajendra Sharma and other senior officials from the concerned line departments.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK