PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
The Cooperative minister Dhan Singh Rawat inaugurated the Cooperative Fair at Ramlila Maidan organised by the Cooperative department and District Cooperative Bank here on Thursday to mark the International Cooperative Year 2025. The minister inspected over 30 stalls set up in the fair and appreciated the handicrafts made by women self-help groups and organic agricultural products. He also hailed the efforts to set up milk cooperative societies. Describing the special branding of hill products as important, he directed the officials present to draw effective plans to take them to the national and international markets. The fair will continue till November 19.
He said that cooperatives are the biggest pillar of economic empowerment for rural families. “The government is placing special emphasis on digitising and modernising cooperative institutions to expand access to employment, marketing and financial services in rural areas,” he said. He urged the youth to create jobs through cooperatives.
Further, he made a slew of announcements, including opening new cooperative banks and introduction of unsecured loans from Rs 21,000 to Rs 1 lakh to empower women financially. The minister also announced installation of micro ATMs in some villages.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were
the Gangotri MLA Suresh Chauhan and the district panchayat president Ramesh Chauhan.
