Uttarakhand’s multipurpose cooperative societies are set to expand their operations beyond seeds and fertilizers to include ventures like petrol pumps, homestays, Jan Aushadhi centres, and solar plants. According to nodal officer MP Tripathi, these societies will now be empowered to undertake 27 new types of economic and service-based activities.
Currently, there are 671 multipurpose cooperative societies in the state, with more being formed. Traditionally involved in providing essentials like loans, fertilizers, and seeds to members, these societies will now play a broader economic role. The new mandate includes establishing fuel stations, homestays in tourist regions, rural warehouses, community service centres (CSCs), ambulance services, and educational institutions.
They will also support activities like dairy farming, silk production, beekeeping, branding, packaging, and marketing of local produce. Additional areas include equipment sales, vocational training for members, water and banking facilitation services, insurance distribution, and transport services.
As per the new cooperative strategy, one cooperative society will be established in every village of plain districts and in every block of hill districts. The initiative has already begun in Haridwar and will soon be implemented in Udham Singh Nagar.
