Team Goemkarponn
MERCES: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Goa’s cooperative movement can play a much larger role in the state’s economy, stressing that effective implementation of the Goa State Cooperative Policy could help transform the sector into a major contributor to growth and development.
Speaking after inaugurating the new **Sahakar Seva Bhavan** in Merces, Sawant said cooperative institutions across the state possess immense untapped potential and can significantly expand their economic footprint through better coordination, technology adoption and professional management.
The Chief Minister noted that Goa has a vast cooperative ecosystem comprising housing societies, self-help groups, agricultural credit societies, dairy units, fisheries cooperatives and consumer societies. He said strengthening these institutions would not only benefit their members but also contribute to the state’s overall economic progress.
According to Sawant, the government’s cooperative policy places emphasis on digital transformation, transparent administration and skill enhancement. He said greater use of technology can improve efficiency, accountability and service delivery within cooperative bodies while encouraging wider member participation.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of training and capacity-building initiatives to help cooperative societies adapt to changing economic conditions and emerging business opportunities.
Sawant described the newly inaugurated Sahakar Seva Bhavan as an important step towards strengthening institutional support for the sector. The facility is expected to serve as a hub for training programmes, administrative functions and outreach activities for cooperative societies across Goa.
He further assured continued government support to grassroots cooperative institutions, particularly Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and multipurpose cooperatives, which play a crucial role in supporting local communities and rural economies.
Emphasising the broader vision behind the initiative, Sawant said the cooperative movement has the potential to become a key pillar of Goa’s development if stakeholders work collectively and embrace modern practices while retaining the core principles of cooperation and community participation.
