JAMMU: The J&K Cooperative Societies Department, today convened a collaborative workshop to discuss and co-create the proposed Holistic Cooperative Development Programme (HCDP). Commissioner Secretary, Cooperatives, Babila Rakwal, was the chief guest on the occasion. The event saw enthusiastic participation from a wide range of stakeholders including the representatives from cooperatives, government departments, financial institutions and sector experts.

Notable participants included Cooperatives including Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd., J&K Milk Producers Cooperative Ltd., J&K Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd., UNATI Multi-State Cooperative Ltd., Farm Fresh Ltd besides Institutions like NCDC, NABARD and former CGM NABARD  Bhallamudi Shridhar. Besides, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Skill Development, Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Industries & Commerce departments and the J&K State Rural Livelihoods Mission attended the event.

The workshop began with a plantation drive held under the banner of ā€œEk Ped Maa Ke Naamā€, led by Commissioner Secretary, Cooperatives. This was followed by a presentation by the department introducing the vision and structure of HCDP. The presentation emphasized a Bottom-Up, people-led and convergence-based development approach. That HCDP is not a prescriptive scheme, but a framework to support the cooperative-driven models across sectors like agriculture, dairy, processing, fisheries and digital enterprise.

The participants shared relevant schemes, potential models for convergence and strategies for enabling cooperative ventures while the departments introduced the participants to opportunities for collaboration ranging from skill training and marketing access to financial and technical support.

The Commissioner Secretary emphasized that the success of this initiative depends on understanding the real capacities, limitation and unique contexts of different cooperative societies. Field officers must play a proactive role in encouraging the societies, enabling convergence with departmental schemes and providing active handholding at the grassroots.

Babila Rakwal asked officers to proactively identify and initiate pilot projects under the proposed initiative, emphasizing the need to test viability and demonstrate success at the grassroots level before wider replication.

The Commissioner Secretary also directed that all suggestions and models shared during the workshop be compiled into a comprehensive document and circulated for further feedback and refinement, reinforcing the department’s commitment to co-creation.

Officers of the Cooperative Department including Additional Registrar Jammu, Joint Registrars (Audit, Banking & Finance, Special), Deputy Registrars and Assistant Registrars from various districts also participated.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). ā€œHis article, ā€˜When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.ā€.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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