COOPERATIVES

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya chaired a briefing session at Raj Bhavan to bolster the dairy sector through engagement of

  • Cooperation Department
  • Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department
  • West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd. (WAMUL)

What are Cooperatives?

  • Definition: A cooperative is a voluntary association of individuals united to achieve shared economic goals through self-help and mutual aid.
  • Objective: Primarily focused on uplifting the poorer and marginalized sections of society.

International significance:

  • International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on 6th July every year.
  • UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC 2025). 
  • Proclaimed by: United Nations General Assembly in June 2024
  • Theme: “Cooperatives Build a Better World”

Cooperatives in India

  • Origin: Began under the Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904.
  • Global Position:
    • India holds 27% of the world’s cooperatives.
    • 20% of India’s population is part of a cooperative (global average: 12%).
  • Top 3 Sectors by Cooperative Penetration:
    • Housing
    • Dairy
    • Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
  • Leading States (57% of total cooperatives):
    • Maharashtra (25% of total Indian cooperatives)
    • Gujarat
    • Telangana
    • Madhya Pradesh
    • Karnataka

Constitutional and Legal Framework

  • 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011:
    • Granted constitutional status to cooperative societies.
    • Key provisions:
      • Article 19(1)(c): Added the right to form cooperatives as a Fundamental Right.
      • Article 43B (DPSP): States to promote cooperative societies.
      • Part IXB (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT): For cooperative governance structure.

Governance of Cooperatives

  • Multi-State Cooperatives:
    • Entry 44, Union List.
    • Governed by Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
  • State Cooperatives:
    • Entry 32, State List.
    • Governed by respective State Cooperative Societies Acts.

The Assam Governor’s dairy sector initiative underlines the strategic importance of cooperatives in solving rural unemployment, reviving agriculture-based industries, and empowering youth. With strong legal backing and successful models like Amul, states like Assam can lead a cooperative revolution in the Northeast.

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