Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday held detailed discussions with Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, about the steeps being taken to strengthen the cooperative sector in the state.
The meeting took place when Mohol met Majhi at Lok Sabha Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. The discussion highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts and achievements in cooperative development, while the CM presented a number of proposals to boost the sector with centre’s support.
Outlining the initiatives taken to strengthen the cooperative sector in the state, the Chief Minister emphasised the state’s progress in the sector and sought central assistance for further growth.
The proposals included extending the loan repayment period for Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) from 5 to 10 years, revitalising sugar mills in Bargarh and Balangir, establishment of a satellite centre of the National Tribhuvan Cooperative University in Gopalpur, setting up cold storage and warehouses in every district and subdivision, promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and providing financial assistance to all new primary agricultural cooperative societies.
Expressing satisfaction with Odisha’s efforts, the Union Minister highlighted the central government’s commitment to cooperative development across states, noting that some states have been selected for pilot projects. He advised Odisha to study the operational models of these states and assured full support from the central government for the state’s cooperative development initiatives.
The meeting was attended among others by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Cooperation Secretary Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Principal Secretary of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Suresh Kumar Vashist, Joint Secretaries to Government of India Raman Kumar & Anand Jha, and OMFED Managing Director Vijay Amrut Kulange.
