Amit Shah Challenges Sharad Pawar on His Contributions to the Cooperative Sector as Agriculture Minister

Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah recently questioned the contributions of NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar to the cooperative sector during his tenure as Union agriculture minister. Shah highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Modi government to boost this sector. During his visit to Maharashtra, Shah emphasised that BJP-led governments aim to make the cooperative sector as prominent as Kashi Varanasi in India's spiritual history.

Representative image

Cooperative Sector Initiatives

Shah challenged Pawar, asking him to explain his efforts for the cooperative movement in Maharashtra, including sugar mills and tax issues. He criticised Pawar for not resolving tax matters or creating model bylaws. Shah stated, "Becoming a leader by marketing is not enough... you need to work on the ground." This was a pointed remark at Pawar, a key figure in the opposition INDIA bloc.

At a meeting in Malegaon, Nashik district, Shah reiterated his criticism of Pawar without naming him directly. He praised the Modi government's establishment of a separate cooperation ministry in 2021, which led to significant improvements in the sector. The ministry drafted an ethanol policy for sugar mills and resolved their income tax issues.

Science and Agriculture

Shah noted that integrating science into agriculture makes it profitable. He highlighted PM Modi's addition of "Jai Vigyan" to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," emphasising the importance of science in agriculture. A new entity, Bharat Cooperative Organics Ltd, has been established for packaging and marketing organic farm products.

The minister stressed that a robust cooperative sector signifies true self-reliance or Atmanirbhar Bharat. With 1.18 lakh members, the government has addressed several longstanding issues within the cooperation department. Tax reductions amounting to Rs 46,000 crore for sugar mills have been implemented.

Ethanol Blending and Energy Security

Efforts have been made towards ethanol blending as part of energy security measures. Ethanol, derived from sugarcane processing, can be mixed with petrol, reducing fossil fuel use and carbon emissions. In Mumbai, Shah accused some Maharashtra leaders of exploiting the cooperative sector for personal gain without aiding its growth.

Addressing an event with the Union Cooperation Ministry and Maharashtra's cooperation department, Shah reiterated that both governments aim to make the cooperative sector as significant as Kashi. He pointed out that India has 1,465 urban cooperative banks, with half located in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The Ministry of Cooperation has resolved numerous issues concerning urban cooperative banks with the Reserve Bank of India. Established by the Modi government in July 2021, this ministry provides a distinct administrative framework to strengthen India's cooperative movement.

Shah concluded by asserting that a strong cooperative sector is essential for India's self-reliance. The government's efforts have led to significant advancements in resolving challenges faced by cooperatives across various sectors.