Agartala, February 04: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has highlighted the crucial role of cooperatives in strengthening both the local and national economy, asserting that a robust cooperative movement can propel India towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
Speaking at the inaugural state-level conference on the promotion and development of cooperatives at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala on Tuesday, Saha underscored the importance of cooperatives in fostering economic growth, community development, and good governance.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to raise awareness about the cooperative movement, noting that the government is facilitating easy-term loans at low interest rates through cooperative societies such as Large Area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS) and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). He said this initiative is helping to eliminate exploitative money-lending practices under the traditional Mahajan system.
Saha further stated that Tripura, now free from insurgency, should maximize cooperative activities to harness local resources and create employment opportunities, preventing youth from being drawn towards negative influences.
Tripura’s cooperative movement began in 1949 with the establishment of ‘Swastik Samabai Samiti’ in remote Kanchanpur subdivision in northern part of the state. Currently, the state has 4,305 cooperatives engaged in various sectors, impacting nearly 9 to 10 lakh people directly or indirectly.
He added that most cooperatives in Tripura operate in farming, dairy, handloom and handicrafts, fisheries, animal husbandry, and multipurpose activities.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the cooperative movement, backed by the initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister & Cooperative Minister Amit Shah, will drive the state and the country towards greater economic progress.
Tripura’s Cooperative Minister Shukla Charan Noatia and National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) chairman Dileep Sanghani also addressed the event, highlighting new initiatives by the state and central governments aimed at enhancing cooperative-led economic activities.
