According to Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Amul will be merged with five other cooperative societies to form a multi-state cooperative society (MSCS). Shah stated during the 70th plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) that the merger process has already begun.
The session was presided over by G. Kishan Reddy, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Tourism and Culture, and B.L. Verma, Minister for DoNER & Co-operation, and members of the NEC, which included the Governors and Chief Ministers of the eight North-Eastern states, as well as other members. Senior officials from the Centre, key Ministries of the GoI and States, and Chief Secretaries of the eight states would be among the other dignitaries.
"The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is prioritising natural agriculture and digital agriculture, and the process of forming a multi-state cooperative society by merging Amul and five other cooperative societies has begun," he said.
He added that the MSCS will ensure the export of the products after they have been certified so that the profits can go directly into the farmers' bank accounts. Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd promotes its products under the Amul brand.
The benefits of registering under the MSCS Act are similar to the benefits of registering a company. Members of a registered multi-state cooperative society have limited liability, a separate legal identity, and the ability to transfer their membership.
Earlier on Friday, while speaking at the North-Eastern Cooperative Dairy Conclave in Gangtok, Shah emphasised the need for the country to double milk production over the next five years, not just to meet domestic demand, but also that of neighbouring countries.
"We have a huge opportunity to deliver milk to countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and the government is setting up a multi-state cooperative that will act as the export house," he said.
