The Cooperation Department is a government department that functions differently from other state departments, serving as the regulatory authority for cooperative societies in the state. The primary objective of the department is to develop and expand the cooperative movement in the state. The cooperative movement makes concrete efforts for the social and economic upliftment of farmers, artisans, weavers, forest-produce collectors, fishermen, dairy producers (livestock owners)—especially individuals from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women, and other weaker sections residing in rural areas. It also works to meet the economic needs of people living in urban areas, thereby improving their standard of living.

Under the Chhattisgarh Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, the Cooperation Department acts as a regulatory authority for cooperative societies. It undertakes registration of cooperative societies, auditing of accounts, inspection, investigation, liquidation, and cancellation of registration. The department also coordinates with the State Cooperative Election Commission to conduct elections for boards, office-bearers, and other posts of cooperative societies. In cases where an elected board is not in existence, the department is responsible for making necessary arrangements to ensure smooth functioning of such cooperative societies until elections are held. In this manner, in addition to being a regulatory authority, the Cooperation Department also functions as a friend, philosopher, and guide to cooperative societies.

The Cooperation Department also acts as a civil court to resolve disputes arising among members, office-bearers, officers, employees, and other stakeholders of cooperative societies. After proper judicial hearings, the department issues lawful orders to deliver justice to the concerned parties. The department passes orders in the capacity of both trial and appellate courts for the disposal of judicial cases.

Currently, the state government is providing interest subsidies to farmers through the Cooperation Department. Through short-term agricultural credit cooperative structures, farmers are being provided interest-free short-term agricultural loans. Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS) are playing an important role in procuring paddy at the support price. Cooperative societies operating in rural areas also distribute fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs to farmers in addition to providing agricultural loans. Many cooperative societies are also engaged in distributing food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS). At present, various cooperative societies in the cooperative sector of the state are contributing significantly in fields such as consumer services, housing, fisheries, dairy, weaving, minerals, forest produce, sugarcane/sugar production, etc., in addition to providing credit facilities to their members. This is not only creating employment opportunities in rural areas but also paving the way for the holistic development of economically backward, exploited, and weaker sections of society.

Under the Government of India’s concept of “Prosperity through Cooperation,” various schemes and programs have been implemented in the state’s cooperative societies. As part of this initiative, the adoption of model bylaws for PACS has transformed all PACS into multi-purpose PACS. Through computerization of PACS, the integration of information technology has made it possible to provide services similar to Common Service Centres to members. Similarly, by operating the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras, societies can supply affordable medicines to remote rural areas. All these initiatives will create additional opportunities for increasing the income of societies. The Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, is implementing the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC-2025) declared under the “Prosperity through Cooperation” initiative.