MSP revolution to ‘Bharat Taxi’: Shah unveils cooperative-led vision for Haryana

He distributed RuPay Platinum debit cards to five beneficiaries of Haryana State Cooperative Banks, highlighting efforts to deepen financial inclusion through the cooperative banking system. In another significant step, registration certificates were handed over to the presidents of two newly established multipurpose primary agricultural cooperative societies (M-PACS) set up by KRIBHCO in Haryana. Shah also released an annual publication documenting activities undertaken during the International Year of Cooperatives, following the screening of a corporate film on KRIBHCO’s work.

A major highlight of Shah’s address was his strong endorsement of Saini, whom he credited with ushering in a new era of farmer-friendly governance in Haryana. Shah described Saini’s leadership as decisive and courageous, stating that his policies had empowered farmers while setting benchmarks for transparency and efficiency.

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Referring to Haryana’s landmark decision to procure 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), Shah said that he had personally confirmed the proposal with Saini during a late-night phone call when it was first announced in the election manifesto. According to Shah, Saini had confidently assured him that the state government would take full responsibility for procurement. “Today, Haryana stands as the first state in India to guarantee MSP procurement for all 24 crops”, a move Shah described as “revolutionary”.

Beyond procurement, Shah emphasised the state’s commitment to swift payments, noting that farmers in Haryana receive payment within 48 hours of procurement – a stark contrast to delays seen elsewhere.

“Despite being a relatively small state, Haryana’s contributions to agriculture, dairy production, sports, and national security have been significant. While industrial growth and tax contributions are important indicators, the true measure of governance lies in the well-being of farmers. Haryana’s farmers have a reason to smile,” he said, adding that it is Saini’s “greatest achievement”.

Aligning Haryana’s progress with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader vision, Shah reiterated the mantra of “Sahkar se Samriddhi,” expressing confidence that the cooperative movement would further strengthen Haryana’s position among India’s leading states.

Beyond agriculture and cooperation, Shah also addressed issues of internal security, asserting that the Modi government “stands like a rock” with the states in tackling challenges such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and organised crime.

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Focusing again on the cooperative sector, Shah said the government has worked systematically to make farmers prosperous by strengthening agriculture through cooperation. Speaking at the KRIBHCO conference themed “Prosperity through Cooperation – Role of Cooperatives in Sustainable Agriculture,” he said the new agricultural policy prioritises reduced water usage and lower chemical inputs, steering Indian farming towards sustainability.

One of the most forward-looking announcements was the proposed launch of a cooperative-based ride-hailing app, ‘Bharat Taxi’, expected to roll out within one or two months. The digital platform will be operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, a multi-state cooperative society registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. Shah described the initiative as an example of how cooperatives can expand beyond agriculture into new-age services while ensuring equitable income distribution.

By integrating cooperatives with agriculture and animal husbandry, Shah said, the government can simultaneously create employment and enhance farmers’ incomes. He underscored the transformative potential of cooperatives for rural women, citing the example of Amul in Gujarat, which distributes around Rs. 90,000 crore annually to 36 lakh women. From its modest beginnings of collecting just 2,000 litres of milk per day, Amul has grown into a nationwide powerhouse collecting crores of litres daily. Shah expressed confidence that India could have at least 20 Amul-like cooperatives within the next 15 years.

Highlighting the scale of government investment, Shah pointed out that the agriculture budget has risen from Rs 22,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.27 lakh crore today, while the rural development budget has increased from Rs 80,000 crore to Rs 1.87 lakh crore. These increases, he said, have laid a strong foundation for boosting farmers’ incomes and revitalising rural India.