Shimla, 29 December 2025
NABARD organised the International Cooperative Year 2025 Cooperative Conference in Shimla today, in which Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Mukesh Agnihotri participated as the chief guest.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that cooperatives are a trust that we cannot allow to be broken. The government and cooperatives will work together, and we need to brainstorm on how to advance cooperatives. Furthermore, it is also important to brainstorm on how to connect the new generation with cooperatives.
He said that whenever cooperatives are discussed in the country, Himachal Pradesh will always be mentioned. He pointed out that no matter which state tries to champion cooperatives, the reality is that Himachal Pradesh has awakened the spirit of cooperatives. The first cooperative society in Himachal Pradesh was registered in Badhera.
He said that the cooperative empire is a very big empire, which is almost equal to the government and its budget is also almost equal to the government’s budget.
Co-operative banks are the capital of people’s trust.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that all our cooperative banks should behave in such a way towards the society that we can take our society forward. The capital here is the capital of people’s trust, if people invest money in the society then they invest on trust and this trust should always remain intact in any situation. Himachal has done very good work in the field of cooperation. Talking about Bhuttico, its products have created a distinct identity in the country and abroad. The Prime Minister of the country also wears the Kullvi cap and when the Prime Minister honours the heads of states abroad then the name of Himachal is mentioned. The credibility of the Bhuttico brand has been established.
The contribution of co-operation in the field of education is also incomparable.
He explained that cooperatives also have an incomparable contribution to the field of education. In the field of education, Him Caps opened the cooperative’s first law college in Una district. He explained that the cooperative has no owner, but the committee is running this institution very successfully, producing lawyers and judges who are now serving in the Supreme Court and High Court. This is a huge success. This same organization has also opened a nursing institute, whose nurses are now serving in every corner of the country.
The bill to provide exemption to Himachalis under Section 118 has gone to the Select Committee.
He explained that we are entering the digital world, and NABARD is our partner, and with their support, all our societies will become digital. He added that under Section 118, projects cannot be established in societies that do not have land. For this, we had drafted a law, which was also presented in the Legislative Assembly. We proposed that societies whose directors are all Himachali should be exempted from this so that those who are originally Himachali do not face any problems and do not have to run around for permission. However, that bill has been sent to the Select Committee, and a solution will be found by the budget session.
Committees need to be reactivated.
He explained that reactivating the Kangra Tea Society, Lahaul Potato Society, and Kullu Snow Weavers Society is the need of the hour, and NABARD will need to consider how to revive them. The government and cooperatives will need to work on how to reactivate them.
He said that NABARD is supporting the state government in expanding the electric vehicle network, and has decided to release approximately ₹110 crore in capital. Furthermore, significant progress has been made in the milk sector. Milk committees are being formed, with 900 already formed. Many people are interested in the solar energy sector, whereby anyone in Himachal wishes to install a plant, up to 100 watts of power is approved, with subsidy also available. He expressed his gratitude for NABARD’s full support in areas such as roads, transport, cooperatives, and water.
Repay the loan taken from the cooperative bank on time.
He said that much has been accomplished in Himachal Pradesh, and much more needs to be done. He noted that 2 million people are involved in the cooperative sector, and it is a 50,000 crore rupee empire. He added that consideration needs to be given to how to maintain it. He urged people to repay their loans from cooperative banks on time.
Secretary of the Cooperative Department, C. Palrasu, stated that various activities were organized this year under the International Cooperative Year 2025, including brainstorming camps, tree plantations, a marathon, and a cooperative conference as the closing ceremony. He stated that for the cooperative sector to progress, it is essential that we avoid copying and instead formulate and implement plans tailored to the sector’s needs. He added that it is essential to involve youth in the cooperative sector to achieve the goal of a self-reliant India.
During this, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Anupam Kishore also shared his views.
Chief General Manager, NABARD, Dr. Vivek Pathania delivered the welcome address and gave information about the activities being implemented by NABARD.
On this occasion, Himfed Chairman Maheshwar Chauhan, Jogindra Bank Chairman Mukesh Sharma, Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank Chairman Rajendra Singh, Registrar Cooperative Society DC Negi, Himachal Pradesh State Bank Managing Director Shravan Manta and officers from various departments were present.
