Governor calls for strengthening cooperative movement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 18 2025: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has stated that the State's economy can grow only when there is a strong cooperative movement in the State.

A State level conclave on the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 was held today at the City Convention Centre.

The conclave was organised by NABARD in collaboration with the Department of Cooperation as a part of the 72nd All India Cooperative Week Celebration 2025 .

Speaking at the conclave held under the theme, "Sahkar Se Samriddhi-Prosperity through Cooperation", the Governor said that cooperatives are not merely economic entities but vital instruments of social equity, resilience and shared prosperity.

After gaining independence from the British, a strong cooperative movement took roots on the soil of India and the same movement has been taking pivotal roles in the economic development of India, Ajay Kumar Bhalla said.

The responsibility of strengthening cooperative movement in Manipur cannot be left to the Department of Cooperation alone.

Everyone must play proactive roles in strengthening cooperative movement in the State, he said.

The Cooperative has been helping weavers, people working in cottage industry as well as women vendors of Khwairamband Ima Keithel in a big way, he said.

The Governor said that Khwairamband Ima Keithel is one of the pillars of the State's economy.

He underscored the importance of introducing new technologies to the women weavers of Manipur so that they can produce several fabrics of high quality.

Calling upon all the people to contribute to building a robust cooperative movement, Ajay Kumar Bhalla informed the gathering that 8,40,000 cooperative societies are functioning successfully across the country.

Through these cooperative societies, around 13 crore people have been participating actively in the Nation's development, he said.

He said that the Ministry of Cooperation has been working hard to develop the cooperative sector and alleviate the economic status of people.

Comparing the cooperative sector to a huge company, the Governor called upon all the people to become shareholders of this company and make way for collective prosperity.

He also hailed the ongoing digital transformation of the State's cooperative sector at the initiative of the Department of Cooperation with financial assistance from NABARD .

He also highlighted the importance of training and capacity building workshops.

Dr Shailesh Kumar Chourasia, Commissioner (Cooperation), Partha Mandal, General Manager, NABARD, Manipur RO, along with senior officers from the Department of Cooperation, officials of NABARD, cooperative leaders, and representatives from across districts attended the programme.

The programme also featured an exhibition where products made by different cooperative societies were displayed.

Another feature of the event was panel discussion where NABARD Regional Office Manipur DGM Bandang Ayar, ex-Minister Dr Moirangthem Nara, Innovative Livelihood Multi-State Cooperative Society, North Eastern Region MD Jeena Postangbam, Manipur State Cooperative Bank Managing Director Bidyarani Ayekpam, ICM Guwahati former Director Dr Kh Somorendro and Ima Langnubi Dairy Cooperative Society Chairman Brojen Sinam, spoke on Development Schemes of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) .

The Governor also presented awards to the best-performing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) under the CSPCP initiative.

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