SAMBA: The 7th District Level Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC) meeting was held today to review the progress of cooperative sector initiatives and approve new interventions for rural development in District Samba.

District Development Commissioner Rajesh Sharma chaired the meeting convened by the Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies and attended by Assistant Registrars and other staff of the Cooperative Department, reflecting the department's strong commitment to grassroots cooperative development.

A major decision of the meeting was the approval of four new food processing units under the JK Cooperative Flagship Scheme. These units will be established by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and other cooperative bodies to promote value addition, self-employment, and rural enterprise development, focusing on processing cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables and herbal products.

The Committee also reviewed the implementation of two existing food processing units engaged in bakery production. Operated by PACS, these units have demonstrated strong community engagement and financial viability resulting in employment generation, especially for rural youth and women.

Their performance was acknowledged as a model initiative, encouraging replication by other cooperative societies in the district.

Another significant highlight of the meeting was the inauguration of a Cooperative Mandap at Chichi Mata, aimed at promoting cooperative-based rural tourism, cultural activities and services delivery in the religious tourism hub. The initiative is expected to boost local cooperative visibility and economic engagement.

Other major agenda items discussed included, Computerization of PACS, progress of the Grain Storage Project, activities under the International Year of Cooperatives, besides review of PACS functioning as Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Champa Thakur; Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Ajay Bharti and the functionaries from the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries, FCS&CA and representatives from NABARD, DCCB and other key institutions.

Speaking at the meeting, DC Rajesh Sharma emphasized the importance of timely implementation, inter-departmental coordination and ease of technical support to ensure the sustainability of both new and existing cooperative ventures. He particularly appreciated the success of the bakery units as an inspiring path for rural cooperative entrepreneurship in the district.

The Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, as the Convener, assured that the department would closely monitor implementation timeline, provide technical and administrative handholding and ensure that the approved units become operational, aligning with the vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi."