Lok Sabha Passes Tribhuvan Cooperative University Bill, 2025; Amit Shah Highlights Its Significance for the Cooperative Sector
University to Train Skilled Workforce, Strengthen Rural Economy, and Promote New-Age Cooperative Culture
New Delhi, March 26, 2025
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today responded to discussions in the Lok Sabha on the Tribhuvan Cooperative University Bill, 2025, following which the House passed the bill. He emphasized that the establishment of this university would meet the growing demand for skilled human resources in the cooperative sector, providing diploma, degree, and PhD programs along with specialized training for existing employees.
Key Announcements:
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Cooperative dairy sector boost: Farmers will receive better prices as cooperative dairies will facilitate the sale of animal hides and bones after their death. Work has already begun on these projects with an investment of ₹10,000 crore.
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Women’s empowerment: Over 70% of those engaged in the dairy sector are women, and this initiative will enhance their economic standing.
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MSP for pulses and maize: The government will ensure 100% procurement of three types of pulses at Minimum Support Price (MSP), addressing a long-pending demand. Farmers must register on the NAFED and NCCF websites for this benefit.
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Cooperative ranking framework: A first-of-its-kind ranking system for cooperatives has been introduced, covering PACS, dairy, fisheries, urban cooperatives, housing credit, and Khadi & Village Industries Committees. Outstanding cooperatives will receive awards and better access to credit from cooperative banks.
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New Cooperative Taxi Service: A cooperative taxi platform will soon be launched, allowing registration of two-wheelers, taxis, rickshaws, and four-wheelers, ensuring that profits directly reach drivers.
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Cooperative Insurance Company: A new cooperative insurance company will be established, which Shah expects to become the largest private-sector insurance provider in the country.
Significance of Tribhuvan Cooperative University
Shah highlighted that the Tribhuvan Cooperative University will play a crucial role in cooperative sector reforms by:
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Offering structured diploma and degree programs to produce skilled professionals.
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Contributing to domestic and global value chains.
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Introducing a new-age cooperative culture.
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Establishing standardized courses for thousands of cooperative training institutes across India.
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Enrolling up to 800,000 students annually, with colleges set up in almost every district within a year.
A Historic Initiative for India’s Cooperative Movement
Shah noted that this is India’s first university dedicated to the cooperative sector and will be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. He stated that the bill lays the foundation for a strong cooperative structure in a self-reliant India. The university is named after Tribhuvandas Patel, whose vision was to ensure cooperative profits reach the poorest women.
Shah, who has been associated with the cooperative sector since the age of 18, reaffirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) is not just a slogan but a reality being implemented through continuous efforts over the last three and a half years.
With this bill’s passage, India’s cooperative movement is set to enter a new era of growth, research, and innovation, ultimately strengthening the rural economy and enhancing cooperative principles nationwide.
