Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the revival of NHEC (National Heavy Engineering Cooperative) Multi-State Cooperative Society at Talegaon Dabhade in Pune district, Maharashtra. The event also featured the virtual inauguration of the Western Regional Office of the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) and the launch of Bharat Taxi services in Pune.
NHEC Revival Project
The NHEC facility, spanning approximately 110 acres, was previously a major manufacturer of sugar mills and centrifugal machinery that exported to 11 countries including Zambia, Ethiopia and Vietnam. The industrial unit had ceased operations during a previous government's tenure and faced threats of illegal encroachment. The revival process involved the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) taking over as administrator, completing pending audits from the previous two years, and mobilizing investment from cooperative institutions including Amul, NDDB, NCDC, IFFCO, NABARD and IPL. The Board of Directors was reconstituted and on 9 October 2026, resolved to rebuild the institution.
The revived manufacturing facility will produce sugar mills, power generation plants for sugar mills, Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants, ethanol plants, dairy processing equipment, and containers for export markets. The second phase envisages manufacturing containers for railways, defense sector and exports. A plan has been prepared to reschedule all liabilities and loans of NHEC and settle them transparently, with production expected to commence before December 2027.
Cooperative Sector Initiatives
The government has provided approximately ₹15,000 crore relief to cooperative sugar mills and extended income tax relief of approximately ₹3,000 crore annually to strengthen the cooperative sector. The circular economy in dairy and sugar sectors will generate additional income for farmers from cattle dung and other by-products while reducing dependence on imports.
Bharat Taxi Launch
Bharat Taxi, envisioned as a nationwide cooperative-based transport service, was launched in Pune. The service ensures complete transparency with drivers (Sarathis) receiving their entire earnings directly to their bank accounts without any commission deductions. The model aims to address exploitation faced by drivers over the years, transforming them from mere drivers to owners of their transport enterprise. Expansion to Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur and Solapur is planned after Pune.
Regulatory Expansion
The Western Regional Office of the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies inaugurated in Pune will undertake regulatory functions for Multi-State Cooperative Societies across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. This addresses long-standing demands from the region for improved regulatory oversight.