New Delhi, December 16, 2025: The Delhi government has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform the national capital into a National Hub of Cooperation, aiming to provide a major boost to cooperative institutions, products and individuals associated with the sector across the country. The announcement was made by Delhi’s Minister for Social Welfare, SC/ST/OBC Welfare, Cooperation and Elections, Ravinder Indraj Singh, during the inauguration of “Sahakar Haat” organised by NABARD at the State Emporia Complex in New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said Delhi would emerge as a central platform for cooperative-linked people and products, offering them greater visibility, marketing support and access to one of the country’s largest consumer markets. He underlined that the cooperative movement has historically been the backbone of India’s economic and social empowerment and stressed that the Delhi government is committed to strengthening and expanding this sector through sustained policy support and institutional reforms.
Ravinder Indraj Singh said the vision of “Sahakar se Samriddhi” has taken the form of a nationwide movement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to renewed focus and growth in the cooperative sector. He noted that people associated with cooperatives would play a crucial role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. According to him, true self-reliance can only be realised when farmers, artisans and small entrepreneurs are economically empowered and connected to stable markets.
Highlighting Delhi’s strategic importance, the minister said that apart from being the political capital of the country, Delhi is also a vast and diverse consumer market. He pointed out that effective marketing of cooperative products from Delhi would directly benefit farmers and cooperative members across India by improving demand, visibility and fair pricing for their goods. The government, he said, intends to position Delhi as a gateway through which cooperative products can reach urban consumers more efficiently.
As part of this initiative, the Delhi government plans to open modern cooperative stores across the city, particularly in housing societies. Ravinder Indraj Singh announced that several cooperative stores would be launched in Delhi from the New Year, creating dedicated retail spaces for handloom, handicrafts, agricultural produce and rural products. These stores are expected to help reduce dependence on middlemen, ensure better returns for producers and offer quality products to consumers at reasonable prices.
The minister further said that the government is working on developing a digital platform that will allow people associated with cooperatives to register and market their products online. This platform is intended to expand the reach of cooperative goods beyond physical markets and make participation easier for small entrepreneurs and individuals who have so far remained outside the cooperative system. Digital integration, he added, would also enhance transparency and efficiency in marketing and transactions.
Referring to the current state of cooperative institutions in Delhi, Ravinder Indraj Singh said that while the capital has more than 2,000 cooperative societies, many of them suffered prolonged neglect under previous administrations. He noted that cooperative banks and societies were deprived of essential reforms and institutional support for years, weakening their functioning and outreach. To address these challenges, the Delhi government has initiated work on necessary legal amendments aimed at strengthening the cooperative framework.
The minister said continuous discussions are being held with NABARD to improve the banking structure, credit societies and other cooperative institutions. The focus of these efforts is to enhance transparency, upgrade systems and provide better facilities to members of cooperative organisations. He expressed confidence that these measures would help restore trust in cooperative institutions and make them more responsive to the needs of farmers, artisans and small businesses.
Speaking about the Sahakar Haat, Ravinder Indraj Singh said the participation of people associated with cooperatives from across the country reflected the strength, diversity and wide reach of the cooperative movement. He described the event as an important platform that brings together farmers, artisans and cooperative entrepreneurs, allowing them to showcase their products directly to consumers.
He praised NABARD and the organising team for successfully hosting the Sahakar Haat and said such initiatives play a vital role in encouraging cooperative entrepreneurship and self-reliance. Direct interaction between producers and consumers, he said, not only boosts income at the grassroots level but also strengthens the cooperative model as a sustainable alternative for economic development.
Officials indicated that the government’s focus on cooperation aligns with its broader objectives of increasing incomes, providing marketing assistance and promoting self-reliance among people associated with cooperatives. By positioning Delhi as a national hub for cooperation, the government aims to create a robust support system that connects traditional sectors such as agriculture and handicrafts with modern retail and digital platforms.
The initiative is expected to generate new opportunities for cooperative members while reinforcing Delhi’s role as a central marketplace for cooperative innovation and products. The government has signalled that further policy measures and announcements related to cooperative development may follow in the coming months as it works towards strengthening the sector at both the local and national levels.
