New Delhi, Nov 10 (NationPress) - Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah declared on Monday that an urban cooperative bank will be set up in every city boasting a population exceeding two lakh.

During the inauguration of the Cooperative Kumbh 2025, an international conference focused on the Urban Cooperative Credit Sector, HM Shah emphasized, “Urban cooperative banks must take proactive steps to empower both the aspirational youth and the lower-income groups in our nation.”

“Our mission is to fortify cooperation while uplifting the marginalized segments of society,” stated the Home Minister in a post on his X account.

He urged urban cooperative banks to extend their support to small traders, the middle class, local entrepreneurs, and aspiring youth involved in self-employment.

HM Shah suggested that the National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies Limited (NAFCUB) along with urban organizations should provide ethical guidelines to help each urban cooperative bank refine its financial framework.

He also announced the establishment of the Tribhuvan Cooperative University to connect the youth with cooperation, aimed at training professionals for the cooperative sector, preparing a future generation that will elevate the cooperative sector by 2047.

HM Shah praised Amul for progressing the White Revolution, noting that it collects 30 million litres of milk nationwide. He also highlighted IFFCO’s role as a cornerstone of the Green Revolution, producing 9.3 million tonnes of urea and DAP, with its nano DAP and urea being exported to over 40 countries including Brazil, America, Oman, and Jordan.

The two-day event, themed ‘Digitising Dreams – Empowering Communities’, aims to bolster the cooperative framework for financial inclusion and stimulate innovation in the cooperative banking sector.

This conference, organized by NAFCUB under the Ministry of Cooperation, serves as a vital platform for collaboration among policymakers, regulators, cooperative leaders, financial institutions, and tech innovators from across India and around the globe.

NAFCUB President Laxmi Dass highlighted the importance of the conference, stating it will address various topics, including digital transformation, governance reforms, and promoting women and youth leadership within the cooperative sector.

He reiterated that CoopKumbh 2025 is dedicated to empowering communities through dialogue, innovation, and a unified vision, ensuring that the cooperative model remains key to India’s inclusive growth narrative.

The event will also feature international experts, including representatives from the World Council of Credit Unions and GreenStone Farm Credit Services, who will share valuable insights on global best practices in cooperative finance and sustainable banking.