Amit Shah to Inaugurate 10,000 New Cooperatives, Distribute Kisan Credit Cards and Micro ATMs

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will inaugurate over 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (M-PACS), along with dairy and fisheries cooperatives, at a landmark event on December 25. This national conference of cooperatives, to be held at the ICAR Convention Centre in New Delhi, marks a significant step in empowering rural communities and advancing financial inclusion across India.

Shah will distribute registration certificates, RuPay Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), and micro ATMs to these cooperative societies, ensuring easy credit access and greater economic participation for panchayats. The event will also feature Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with dignitaries and senior officials.

This initiative seeks to enhance local development, promote self-reliance, and strengthen rural institutions. The newly formed M-PACS, encompassing credit, dairy, and fisheries cooperatives, are expected to play a transformative role in boosting self-reliance and economic empowerment in rural India. Shah has emphasized empowering local communities, especially women-led panchayats, as a cornerstone of the cooperative movement.

The cooperative sector is regarded as the backbone of India’s rural economy, contributing significantly to financial inclusion, agricultural development, and employment generation. Amit Shah recently underscored the importance of strengthening cooperative institutions nationwide, including in the Northeast, recognizing their potential to drive economic progress and uplift marginalized communities.

Since its establishment in July 2021, the Ministry of Cooperation has revitalized Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) through new model bye-laws and expanded activities, ensuring their sustainability. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of "Sehkar Se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation). A roadmap for forming two lakh new M-PACS was introduced in September 2024 to realize this vision. Currently, 10,496 cooperative units have been established, including 3,523 M-PACS, 6,288 dairy cooperatives, and 685 fisheries cooperatives.

The national conference will gather approximately 1,200 delegates, including representatives from these cooperatives, state governments, and the Ministry of Cooperation. It will serve as a platform to strategize the operational strengthening of cooperatives, stabilizing rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.