Bhubaneswar, 25 August (H.S.): Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, met Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi today at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. During the meeting, the Chief Minister engaged in detailed discussions with the Union Minister on various issues related to the development of the cooperative sector in the state. The discussions covered initiatives and efforts undertaken by the Odisha government to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem, as well as the state’s notable achievements and progress in this sector.
The Chief Minister highlighted several key proposals for consideration and support from the central government. These included extending the loan repayment period for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) from 5 to 10 years, reviving sugar mills in Bargarh and Balangir, establishing a satellite campus of the National Trifed Cooperative University in Gopalpur, setting up cold storage and warehouse facilities in every district and sub-division, increasing the number of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and providing financial assistance to all newly formed PACS units. The Chief Minister requested full support from the central government to help implement these proposals effectively.
Responding to the proposals, the Union Minister expressed satisfaction with the Odisha government’s initiatives in the cooperative sector and acknowledged the state's efforts. He stated that the Government of India is taking comprehensive measures to promote cooperative development across various states, with some already being selected for pilot projects. He advised studying the working models of other states for better outcomes and assured that the Centre will extend all possible support required by the Odisha government for cooperative sector development.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, Cooperation Secretary Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Principal Secretary of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Shri Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Joint Secretary to the Government of India Shri Raman Kumar, Shri Anand Jha, and OMFED Managing Director Shri Vijay Amrut Kulange, along with other senior officials.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
