Leh, April 17, 2025: The Administrative Secretary of Cooperative Department of Union Territory of Ladakh, Bhupesh Chaudhary chaired the monthly review meeting today to assess and strategize reforms in the cooperative sector. The meeting was held at his office chamber.

At the outset, Syed Sajad Qadri, Additional Registrar, Cooperative Department, UT Ladakh, provided comprehensive details about the key agenda points of the meeting.

 The meeting focused on several critical areas including Defunct Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), RCS Office computerization, fertilizer subsidy, cooperative bank establishment; legislative amendments to Cooperative Societies Act, and the celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) .

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 The Secretary took a comprehensive review on the status of defunct PACS across the UT Ladakh,  Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary directed the concerned officials to expedite the viability survey of all defunct cooperative societies and coordinate closely with them to resolve any challenges to their revival as early as possible.

He emphasized the need to frame a strategy or plan that would enable the Department to assess the extent of revival. During the meeting, emphasis was also laid on the computerization of the Office of the Registrar, Cooperative Societies (RCS), to enhance efficiency, and ease of access to services. A timeline was proposed for completing the exercise, as part of the Ministry’s umbrella project titled ‘Strengthening Cooperatives Through IT Interventions. 

The meeting also discussed amendments to the Cooperative Societies Act 1989,  amendments to the Cooperative Societies Act were discussed to align the framework with current needs and facilitate better governance and accountability within cooperatives. It was decided that proper proposal to be made, which will be forwarded to law department.

On the Celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), the Secretary reviewed scheduled activities, series of events, workshops, and public outreach programs highlighting the role and achievements of cooperatives in community development. During the meeting, it was decided that to promote cooperative values and involvement of concerned stakeholders is need of hour. 

The Secretary directed that the concerned officials to raise awareness initiatives throughout the Union Territory, ensure the use official logo, use of t- shirts, flax boards, ensure participation in famous apricot festival for the upcoming International Year of Cooperatives 2025 terming it as golden chance to revive Ladakh’s cooperative movement and make a substantial contribution to the region’s equitable and sustainable socio- economic development.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Registrar,  Cooperative Department Leh; Accounts officer, office of ARC, UT Ladakh; Assistant Registrar,  Cooperative Department leh; Additional Registrar,  Cooperative Department UT of Ladakh, and other concerned officials joined the meeting.