On the fourth foundation day of the Ministry of Cooperation, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced that Amul, known for its dairy products, will now also sell salt. The move aims to benefit salt pan workers in Gujarat.
The announcement was made during the launch of a new multi-state cooperative named Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation Limited. Shah also unveiled its logo and shared the federation’s goal of creating an organised market for milk producers—ensuring fair pricing, input services, and a circular economy in the dairy sector.
Growth Under PM Modi’s Leadership
Shah highlighted achievements in the cooperative sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, including:
- Registration of 2 lakh Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
- The establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University, India’s first national cooperative university
- Creation of three national-level dairy cooperatives
The Five P’s for Success
Shah encouraged the cooperative sector to focus on five key pillars:
- People – Citizens are the main beneficiaries
- PACS – Strengthening rural credit institutions
- Platforms – Providing digital and national platforms for cooperatives
- Policy – Ensuring maximum benefits to members
- Prosperity – Uplifting millions of hardworking women in Gujarat and across India
Tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Shah also paid homage to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, crediting him for making Kashmir an integral part of India. He recalled Mookerjee’s powerful slogan: “Ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan, aur do Nishan nahi chalenge.”
Amul’s Expansion
Shah inaugurated several new Amul projects, including:
- A mozzarella cheese plant
- An ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing unit
- A modern cheese warehouse in Khatraj
- The extended Amul chocolate plant in Mogar
Amul’s New Salt Venture
Amul will now sell salt sourced from Kutch’s salt pan workers. The initiative will be led by Valamji Humbal, Vice Chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and Chairman of Sarhad Dairy.