Gujarat Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, 25 August, with discussions spanning agricultural cooperation, livestock farming, and rural livelihoods. Chaudhary, who also chairs Banas Dairy — one of Gujarat's largest cooperative dairy institutions — used the occasion to highlight concerns of livestock farmers and the cooperative sector.

What Was Discussed

Chaudhary said the meeting covered cooperation, agriculture, nature, and issues affecting livestock rearers across the state. He described the Prime Minister as 'village, poor, youth and farmer-friendly and people-oriented,' according to his post on social media platform X. The Speaker noted that Modi had 'consistently prioritised the interests of farmers and livestock rearers' and had 'firmly protected the interests of livestock farmers by maintaining a ban on milk imports' even amid global trade pressures.

GOBARdhan Scheme in Focus

Chaudhary also highlighted the Centre's GOBARdhan scheme, calling it a 'historic step' towards making livestock farmers self-reliant. The programme, valued at more than ₹23,000 crore, is aimed at converting cattle dung and agricultural waste into biogas and organic fertiliser, directly benefiting rural households dependent on livestock. The Speaker credited the Modi-led government with driving the initiative at scale.

A Gift From Tharad

The meeting carried a local flavour as well. Chaudhary, who represents the Tharad constituency in the Gujarat Assembly, presented the Prime Minister with a handcrafted shawl made by women artisans from Tharad. 'This shawl is a beautiful symbol of the skill and spirit of self-reliance of our sisters,' he said, adding that the manner in which Modi accepted it is 'a matter of pride for all mothers and sisters.'

Who Is Shankar Chaudhary

Shankar Chaudhary has served as Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly since December 2022, following his re-election from Tharad in the 2022 state polls. He previously held the Radhanpur and Vav seats and served in ministerial roles in the Gujarat government. As chairman of Banas Dairy, based in Banaskantha, he was re-elected unopposed to that position in October 2024 for a third consecutive term — underscoring his deep roots in the cooperative dairy movement.

Broader Context

The meeting reflects the ongoing dialogue between state legislative leadership and the Centre on agricultural and rural policy. Chaudhary's dual role — as a constitutional authority in the Gujarat Assembly and as head of a major dairy cooperative — gives his advocacy on livestock and farm issues particular institutional weight. With rural distress and dairy sector viability remaining live political concerns in Gujarat, the interaction signals continued federal attention to cooperative farming interests ahead of future policy cycles.