Odisha to Boost Grassroots Services Through Strengthened Cooperative Institutions

BHUBANESWAR, Nov 17: Odisha is gearing up for a major transformation in its cooperative sector, with plans to make cooperative institutions the backbone of grassroots services across the state. State Cooperative Minister Pradip Bala Samant on Monday said that a “revolutionary change” is underway as the government prepares the Odisha State Cooperative Policy 2025.

Speaking at a discussion and feedback programme on the proposed policy, Samant said the initiative aims to make cooperatives self-reliant and position them as key drivers of socio-economic development at the grassroots level. He added that Odisha’s policy will be rolled out after the National Cooperative Policy is released, ensuring state-specific reforms align with national priorities.

According to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Cooperative Department, the new policy will adopt a “One-Stop Shop” model, enabling cooperative institutions to deliver a complete range of citizen-centric services. The approach focuses on modernizing the sector through computerization, automation, and the integration of advanced technologies.

Odisha’s cooperative institutions are already active in agriculture-based services, credit support, and livelihood enhancement. The upcoming policy aims to strengthen these contributions by making the institutions financially resilient and digitally empowered.

The reforms will also emphasize professional management and encourage greater participation of youth and women, ensuring inclusive growth. The initiative aligns with the broader national vision of building a developed India by 2047, officials said.

With the new policy, the state government aims to create a more vibrant, technology-driven cooperative ecosystem that enhances service delivery and accelerates grassroots development.