Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today inaugurated the country's first cooperative multi-feed Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra. On this occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol, and several other distinguished personalities were present.

Addressing the event, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that for the first time in the history of India's cooperative sugar mills, a Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant and a potash granule production unit are being established at the Maharshi Shankarrao Kolhe Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana. He mentioned that under a new initiative, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's government will provide full support to 15 selected sugar mills in the coming days to set up both these plants with the assistance of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). He added that this new beginning will pave the way for a new path for sugar mills across the country in the coming days.

Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government is dedicated to the welfare of the country's farmers. He mentioned that on October 1, during a Union Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’, under which Rs. 11,340 crore will be utilized over the next six years to make India self-reliant in the pulses sector. Shri Shah said that if farmers producing arhar, urad, and masoor pulses register with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF), the Government of India will procure their entire pulse crop at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This will also benefit farmers in Maharashtra. He added that pulses will be procured at 100% MSP from 20 million farmers across the country. Furthermore, 1,000 processing units will be established, and 38 lakh high-quality seed kits will be distributed.

Shri Amit Shah said that in the recent Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, an increase in the MSP was approved: Rs. 300 per quintal for masoor, Rs. 250 per quintal for mustard, Rs. 225 per quintal for gram, Rs. 175 per quintal for barley, and Rs. 160 per quintal for wheat. He added that under Modi ji's leadership over the past 11 years, the MSP for jowar has increased by two and a half times, bajra by two and a half times, tur (arhar) by 100 percent, moong by 100 percent, soybean by twofold, and cotton by twofold.

Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah stated that under the recent GST reforms, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has decided to reduce the GST to 5 percent on several items used by farmers. These include tractors, tractor parts, harvesters, threshers, sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, and machinery for poultry and beekeeping. Moreover, the GST on organic pesticides and natural menthol has also been reduced to 5 percent. This will benefit millions of farmers.

Shri Amit Shah stated that today, India's first cooperative Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant was inaugurated. This project has involved an investment of approximately Rs. 55 crore. The CBG plant will produce 12 tons of CBG daily and 75 tons of potash from jaggery/molasses. He said that both these products are currently imported by India from abroad, and this new initiative will enable us to stop these imports, taking a step towards a self-reliant India.

Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the Maharshi Shankarrao Kolhe Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana has become an ideal example of a circular economy. He emphasized the need to make ethanol plants multidimensional. Shri Shah mentioned that cooperative sugar factories originated in Maharashtra, and the initiative to implement a 100 percent circular economy for sugar factories is starting from here. He urged the Maharashtra government to cooperate in this effort, assuring that the Government of India will also provide support. He stated that the example set by the Maharshi Shankarrao Kolhe Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana should serve as a model for all sugar mills in Maharashtra, so that it can be implemented there, leading to significant benefits in operating sugar mills in the future. Shri Shah further mentioned that India's first sugarcane-based ethanol plant was established here. He added that every profit-making sugar factory should also undertake fruit processing, which will promote fruit cultivation and increase the profitability of sugar factories.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Sanjeevani Group has undertaken several significant initiatives in the fields of green energy and sustainability, and has worked to empower numerous women's self-help groups. He added that, alongside this, 100 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have been integrated, fisheries have been initiated for 1,000 farmers, and Sanjeevani University has been established for 20,000 students. He further said that India's first rural call center was also set up here, providing employment opportunities to many people.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that by establishing the Ministry of Cooperation at the centre, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has initiated a new lease of life for the country's rural economy. He said that the doubts and uncertainties surrounding the future of the cooperative sector have been completely resolved over the past three years. Today, the cooperative sector is emerging as a strong pillar of the nation, which is a matter of pride for all of us.

Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has called upon all citizens to embrace the use of indigenous products. PM Modi has said that if 140 crore Indian citizens and all traders of the country resolve to neither use nor trade in foreign goods, the purchasing power of 140 crore citizens will provide an unprecedented boost to our economy. Shri Shah said that PM Modi has elevated the country's economy from the 11th position to the fourth position, and we are very close to becoming the world's third-largest economy. However, to achieve the top position globally, there is no alternative to adopting swadeshi. He emphasized that every citizen of the country should adopt indigenous products.

Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has urged every individual to take a pledge to plant one tree in the name of their mother and one tree in the name of Mother Earth. He said that this will greatly help in addressing challenges like climate change and global warming in the coming times.

****

RK/VV/AK/PS/PR