Namchi Chairs DCDC, DLIMC and DLCMC Meetings to Strengthen Cooperative Development
Namchi, 21 April (IPR):
A meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC), along with the District Level Implementation and Monitoring Committee (DLIMC) and the District Level Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DLCMC), was convened today under the chairpersonship of the District Collector Namchi Ms Anupa Tamling, at the Chamber of the District Collector, District Administrative Centre, Namchi.
Addressing the meeting, the District Collector advised the officers of the department to prioritise community-based development and growth while promoting cooperative societies, with the aim of strengthening local communities. She further directed the department to undertake extensive awareness campaigns to sensitise the public on the benefits of cooperatives and the opportunities available through them.
Highlighting the various financial assistance schemes being provided by the department, she stressed the importance of making the public aware of repayment obligations and the consequences of loan defaults. She also urged the department to guide beneficiaries through the proper repayment process. Emphasising transparency and accountability, she called for strict monitoring of fund sanctions and regular supervision of stock management within cooperative societies.
At the outset, Additional Registrar (Cooperation) Mr Purshutam Pradhan, presented a brief overview of the cooperative societies functioning within the district. He informed that, as per the National Cooperative Database, a total of 1,154 cooperative societies are registered across Namchi and Ravang Sub-Divisions. Of these, 262 are functional, 726 are non-functional, and 166 are under the process of liquidation.
He further stated that 12 Milk Producers Cooperative Societies Ltd. and two Poultry Cooperative Societies Ltd. are registered within the district. Speaking on inter-cooperative collaboration, he mentioned that cooperative societies under Namchi district have subscribed to four shares of National Cooperative Organic Ltd., two shares of National Cooperative Export Ltd., and 37 shares of Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd.
The Additional Registrar also elaborated on the role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), highlighting their operations as Common Service Centres (CSCs), Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMJAK), and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK).
He informed that during the Financial Year 2025–26, apex and primary cooperative institutions paid a total dividend of ₹155.67 lakh to the State Government against Government shareholding.
Referring to the recently launched Sikkim State Cooperative Policy, 2026, he stated that the Cooperation Department formally launched the policy on March 19, 2026, with the objective of transforming cooperatives into engines of inclusive growth and rural prosperity across the State. He further mentioned that all amendments to the Sikkim Cooperative Societies Act and Rules are expected to be completed within the Financial Year 2026–27.
Additionally, he shared that the department would soon launch a large-scale membership drive in convergence with the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Departments to strengthen membership in PACS. He also informed that five PACS members from Namchi district and 35 departmental officers recently undertook exposure visits to Banas Dairy, Amul, and other cooperative institutions in Gujarat.
The meeting was attended by ADC Development (Ravangla), Dr C P Rai; Additional Director (AH&VS), Dr Latta Rai; District Planning Officer (NDZP), Ms Karzang Diki Lassopa; Deputy Director (Agriculture), Dr Nation Chamling; General Manager (NABARD), Mr Rupen Lamichhaney; General Manager (Sikkim Milk), Dr N K Pradhan; Joint Registrar (Cooperation), Mr Sewan Rai; Assistant Registrar (Cooperation), Mr Shidant Rai; Assistant Director (Fisheries), Mr Ugen Tseten Bhutia; Audit Officer (Cooperation), Mr Pritam Chettri; and representative from SISCO Bank, Mr P Lamichhaney.