Amit Shah Reviews Key Cooperative Sector Initiatives

Amit Shah reviewed progress on the proposed Cooperative Bank of India and examined how it could support the long-term growth of the cooperative banking ecosystem.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired a series of review meetings in New Delhi to assess the progress of major national cooperative initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperative banking, expanding organic agriculture networks and boosting exports through the cooperative sector.

The meetings were attended by Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, Cooperation Secretary Dr Ashish Kumar Bhutani, NABARD Chairman Shaji K.V. and senior representatives from several cooperative institutions, including the proposed Cooperative Bank of India (COBI), Sahakar Sarathi Private Limited (SSPL), National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL).

A significant portion of the discussions focused on modernising the cooperative banking sector through technology adoption, improved governance, cyber security measures and expanded digital banking services.

Technology Push for Cooperative Banks

Amit Shah reviewed progress on the proposed Cooperative Bank of India and examined how it could support the long-term growth of the cooperative banking ecosystem. The performance of Sahakar Sarathi's technology-driven initiatives also came under review, with officials reporting positive responses from cooperative banks adopting common digital platforms and shared services.

The Minister stressed the importance of strengthening digital infrastructure across both rural and urban cooperative banks while encouraging wider use of indigenous technology solutions. Discussions also covered the rollout of Bank.in, a dedicated banking domain initiative for cooperative banks, and the integration of MuleHunter.AI with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The initiative is expected to improve fraud detection capabilities and strengthen protection against emerging cyber threats.

Officials informed the meeting that Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) services and e-KYC facilities have already been introduced in selected cooperative banks. Expansion is underway in several states, with a target to bring 100 cooperative banks onto the platform by August 2026.

Shah directed all Rural Cooperative Banks to become members of Sahakar Sarathi Private Limited and all Urban Cooperative Banks to join NUCFDC, highlighting the role these institutions will play in improving access to technology, services and institutional support.

Organic Farming and Cooperative Exports Get Major Attention

In separate reviews of NCOL and NCEL, the Minister assessed efforts to expand organic farming networks and increase the global reach of cooperative products.

For NCOL, the focus was placed on scaling up procurement from organic farmers across the country. Shah called for the identification and mapping of organic producers while strengthening support systems that help farmers with certification, testing, quality assurance and compliance with organic standards. He also emphasised the need for stronger market linkages to ensure organic farmers gain access to profitable markets and improved income opportunities.

The review of NCEL centred on expanding international market access for cooperative products. The organisation was encouraged to work closely with government ministries and member cooperatives to identify new export opportunities, particularly for niche and value-added products with strong global demand.

The meetings also discussed expanding the presence of cooperative products across physical and digital marketplaces, promoting the Co-op Mark brand and strengthening international outreach efforts.

The Ministry of Cooperation said these initiatives support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sahakar Se Samriddhi", with a focus on digital transformation, financial inclusion, sustainable agriculture, better market access and stronger global competitiveness for India's cooperative sector.