Ministry of Cooperation 9th National Review Workshop in Bastar
The Ministry of Cooperation organized the 9th National Review Workshop on October 8-9, 2026, in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, under the theme 'Sahkar se Samriddhi — The Road Ahead: Scaling Impact through Cooperative Transformation'. The workshop was guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and under the leadership of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, with the specific significance of being held in a Left Wing Extremism-affected district as suggested by Shah.
The workshop brought together senior officials from various States, Registrars of Cooperative Societies, representatives of national cooperative institutions and federations, and key stakeholders to review progress under major cooperative initiatives and develop three-month action plans. Key focus areas included revival of cooperative institutions, financial strengthening, business diversification, digitalisation, capacity building, and improved market access.
Cooperative Banking Reforms and Supervision
Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani emphasized that cooperative banks serve as crucial channels for delivering financial services to underserved sections of society. He stressed that institutional autonomy must accompany accountability and effective supervision, calling for a more systematic monitoring framework. Bhutani urged State Registrars to exercise greater vigilance and play a more proactive role in strengthening supervision, warning that weaknesses in oversight could affect the entire cooperative sector's credibility. The Ministry is working with the Reserve Bank of India to strengthen cooperative banks' resource-mobilisation capabilities and enhance opportunities for providing concessional financial assistance to farmers and stakeholders.
Financial Initiatives and NCDC Expansion
The workshop featured dedicated sessions with NABARD and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) teams to discuss financing various schemes and institutions. Bhutani highlighted that NCDC has emerged as a major institution providing financial and institutional support over the past 2-3 years. The recent amendment to the NCDC Act enables extending financial assistance to institutions that are not themselves cooperatives but are engaged in promoting cooperative development, opening new opportunities for State-level institutions to access direct financial assistance from NCDC.
Digital Platform and Market Access Development
The workshop examined the proposal to develop a common cooperative digital platform for marketing cooperative products and agricultural produce, with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) offering support. The Ministry will seek suggestions and guidance from States before developing a practical mechanism to connect cooperative institutions with wider markets. There was special focus on linking Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and tribal cooperatives with State and national cooperative federations to improve market access and secure remunerative prices for members.
Value Chain Development and Sectoral Initiatives
The workshop included detailed deliberations on strengthening value chains in exports, organic products, and seeds through national cooperative institutions NCEL, NCOL, and BBSSL. Dairy sector initiatives received particular attention, with discussions on developing dairy institutions into cooperative institutions and strengthening associated value chains. States were urged to share experiences with government procurement activities through PACS, including commissions received, economic gains, payment delays, and financial viability, to consolidate successful practices into practical models for nationwide adoption.
Thematic Sessions and Action Plans
Thematic sessions covered 'Cooperative Growth Story — North Eastern States and Eastern Frontier' with special attention to Left Wing Extremism-affected districts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, cooperative banking sector strengthening, credit delivery improvement, business diversification, technology adoption, risk management, and customer confidence enhancement. The workshop reviewed achievements under major initiatives including formation of multipurpose PACS, computerization of PACS, the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in the cooperative sector, and business diversification programs.