Agartala, Feb 4 (PTI) – Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday announced an ambitious target to enroll 20-30 lakh people into cooperative societies, aiming to uplift the socio-economic landscape of the northeastern state.
Speaking at a programme on the promotion and development of cooperatives at Rabindra Bhavan, Saha highlighted that currently, only 9-10 lakh people are directly or indirectly engaged in the cooperative movement. Given Tripura's population of approximately 40 lakh, he emphasized the need for broader participation in cooperatives.
"A significant portion of our population remains outside the cooperative sector. The cooperative department should set a goal of bringing 20-30 lakh people into its fold. Achieving this will significantly enhance the socio-economic condition of our state," the chief minister stated.
Saha credited Union Home Minister Amit Shah for reinvigorating the cooperative movement after taking charge of the Cooperative Ministry. He noted that strengthening cooperatives could reduce the demand for government jobs, as job seekers would transition into job providers. Additionally, he pointed out that cooperatives could play a crucial role in curbing corruption.
"If cooperatives become economically stable, even surrendered militants could find opportunities within the cooperative movement. Discussions are also underway to waive income tax for the cooperative sector," Saha added.
He further stressed the importance of providing financial assistance to cooperatives, stating that facilitating loans for them would bolster their operations and enhance their impact on the state's economy.