Jaipur Hosts First Regional Workshop under National Cooperative Reform Drive to Realise Prime Minister’s Vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”

1. At a Glance

• First Regional Workshop under the National Cooperative Reform Drive, held in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 24 April 2026 by the Ministry of Cooperation [1].
• Operationalises PM Modi's "Sahkar se Samriddhi" ("Prosperity through Cooperation") mantra via state-wise FY 2026-27 action plans on PACS, grain storage, dairy and fisheries cooperatives [1].
• High-yield UPSC topic — intersects GS-II (governance/federalism) and GS-III (agriculture, cooperative sector, food security).

2. Why in the News

• 24 April 2026: Ministry of Cooperation launched the regional workshop series in Jaipur to push decentralised grain storage, PACS expansion, and "Cooperation among Cooperatives" [1].
• Subsequent workshops at Aizawl (Mizoram) [4] and Raipur reviewed the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan, White Revolution 2.0, and formation of 2 lakh new cooperative societies [5].
• Aligns with UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 commemorations [6].

3. Background & Evolution

• 6 July 2021 — Ministry of Cooperation carved out of Ministry of Agriculture; first Cooperation Minister: Shri Amit Shah [2].
• 31 May 2023 — Cabinet approved the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector as a pilot [2].
• 2023 — Computerisation of 63,000 PACS with ₹2,516 cr outlay began [3].
• 19 September 2024 — SOP for 2 lakh new PACS/Dairy/Fishery societies issued; 10,000 societies registered in 86 days [3].
• 25 December 2024 — Amit Shah dedicated 10,000 M-PACS, Dairy & Fisheries Cooperative Societies to the nation [3].
• 2025 observed as UN International Year of Cooperatives [6].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Cooperation (Union Govt) [1].
• Vision statement: "Sahkar se Samriddhi" — coined by PM Narendra Modi [1][3].
• Constitutional basis: 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 — inserted Article 43B (DPSP, promotion of cooperatives) and Part IXB (Articles 243ZH-243ZT) [general]; Entry 32, State List governs cooperatives.
• Key targets/numbers:
• 2 lakh new Multipurpose PACS / Dairy / Fishery cooperative societies in 5 years [3].
• NABARD: 22,750 PACS (Phase I) + 47,250 (Phase II) [3].
• NDDB: 56,500 new + 46,500 strengthened dairy societies [3].
• NFDB: 6,000 new + 5,500 strengthened fisheries cooperatives [3].
• State depts: 25,000 PACS [3].

• Grain Storage Plan: godowns at 500+ PACS identified; completion target December 2026 [2].

• Convergence schemes under Grain Storage Plan: AIF, AMI, SMAM, PMFME [2].

• Workshop focus areas (Jaipur): decentralised grain storage, PACS expansion, dairy/fisheries cooperatives, "Cooperation among Cooperatives", State Action Plans for FY 2026-27 [1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Decentralised godowns at PACS level reduce post-harvest losses and distress sale of crops [2].
• PACS as multi-service rural enterprise nodes — fair price shops, CHCs, processing units [2].

Administrative / Federal

• Cooperatives = State List subject; Union role limited to multi-state coops, so reform drive requires state-wise action plans and regional consultations [1].
• Convergence model uses NABARD, NDDB, NFDB as implementing arms [3].

Social

• Targets uncovered villages/panchayats for new societies — addresses cooperative deserts [3].
• Dairy & fisheries expansion benefits small/marginal producers, women SHGs and fisherfolk [5].

Food Security

• Decentralised storage strengthens PDS and farmer-level price realisation; ties to National Food Security Act, 2013 ecosystem [2].

Governance / Ethical

• "Cooperation among Cooperatives" — horizontal integration to overcome fragmented governance of cooperatives [1].
• SOP-driven, time-bound registration (10,000 in 86 days) signals deliverable governance [3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 24 April 2026 — Jaipur Regional Workshop (first under drive) [1].
• Aizawl (Mizoram) — first-ever regional cooperative reform conference [4].
• Raipur Workshop — reviewed World's Largest Grain Storage Plan, White Revolution 2.0, 2 lakh new societies [5].
• 15 May 2026 — National Workshop on Fisheries Cooperative Societies, Hyderabad [7].
• 25 Dec 2024 — 10,000 new M-PACS/Dairy/Fishery societies dedicated [3].
• 2025 — Manthan Baithak of State/UT Cooperation Ministers to mark International Year of Cooperatives 2025 [6].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Ministry of Cooperation created in July 2021 (carved out of Agriculture Ministry) [2].
• "Sahkar se Samriddhi" is the guiding mantra of the Ministry of Cooperation [1].
• World's Largest Grain Storage Plan approved by Cabinet on 31 May 2023 [2].
• Grain Storage Plan implemented at PACS level via convergence of AIF, AMI, SMAM, PMFME [2].
• NABARD, NDDB, NFDB are the three implementing agencies for 2 lakh new societies [3].
• Target: 2 lakh new Multipurpose PACS / Dairy / Fishery cooperatives in 5 years [3].
• 10,000 PACS registered in 86 days post 19 Sept 2024 SOP [3].
• Article 43B (DPSP) and Part IX-B added by 97th Constitutional Amendment, 2011 govern cooperatives.
• Cooperatives fall under Entry 32 of State List, Seventh Schedule.
• 25 December 2024 — Amit Shah dedicated 10,000 M-PACS, Dairy, Fishery societies to the nation [3].
• 2025 = UN-declared International Year of Cooperatives [6].
• Grain godowns at 500+ PACS identified; deadline December 2026 [2].
• White Revolution 2.0 is paired with PACS reform under the drive [5].
• Jaipur workshop covered State-wise Action Plans for FY 2026-27 [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Governance — Centre-State coordination on a State List subject (cooperatives).
• GS-III: Agriculture, food security, storage & marketing; rural economy.
• Possible question stems: 1. "The 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' vision marks a shift from welfare delivery to enterprise-led rural transformation. Critically examine." 2. "Decentralised grain storage at PACS level can be a game-changer for food security but faces federal and capacity constraints. Discuss." 3. "Evaluate the role of NABARD, NDDB and NFDB in operationalising the target of 2 lakh new cooperative societies."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• 97th Constitutional Amendment & Article 43B — statutory architecture of cooperatives.
• Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023 — governance reform [8].
• Computerisation of PACS — ₹2,516 cr digital backbone.
• White Revolution 2.0 — dairy cooperative expansion under Ministry of Cooperation.
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) — convergence vehicle.
• NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) — under Ministry of Cooperation.
• UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 — global context.
• Operation Greens & PM-AASHA — adjacent farm-price interventions.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Ministry confusion: cooperatives now under Ministry of Cooperation, NOT Ministry of Agriculture (post-July 2021).
• Article confusion: Article 43B (DPSP) ≠ Article 43 (living wage) ≠ Article 43A (worker participation).
• NDDB vs NFDB vs NABARD roles — dairy / fisheries / PACS respectively [3].
• Grain Storage Plan is approved (May 2023) and implemented via convergence of existing schemes — it is not a new standalone scheme with fresh outlay [2].
• Cooperatives are a State subject (Entry 32) — Union acts via persuasion, NABARD/NDDB/NFDB, and MSCS Act.