Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday, December 25, 2025, presented an ambitious blueprint to transform Haryana into a national exemplar for farmer welfare and cooperative-driven economic growth. Speaking at a cooperative conference in Panchkula, Shah announced a slew of major initiatives spanning agricultural reforms, digital platforms, and infrastructure projects, all anchored in the principle of 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' (prosperity through cooperation).
A New Era for Farmers: MSP Guarantee and Swift Payments
Central to Shah's address was the landmark policy of Haryana becoming the first state in India to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement for 24 different crops. Shah revealed a personal anecdote, stating he had confirmed the proposal directly with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during a late-night phone call when it was part of the election manifesto. Saini assured full state responsibility for the procurement, a move Shah hailed as "revolutionary."
Beyond the procurement guarantee, Shah emphasized the state's commitment to efficiency, noting that Haryana's farmers receive payments within 48 hours of selling their produce, a stark contrast to delays experienced in other regions. He credited Saini's "decisive and courageous" leadership for ushering in this new era of farmer-friendly governance, calling it the Chief Minister's "greatest achievement."
Digital Push and Cooperative Expansion
The event served as a platform for the digital inauguration of several key projects aimed at strengthening decentralized development. These included a milk chilling centre in Bhiwani's Salempur to boost the dairy value chain, a HAFED flour mill in Rewari's Jatusana to enhance food processing, and a new IYC portal by the Ministry of Cooperation to showcase cooperative activities nationwide.
In a significant step for financial inclusion, Shah distributed RuPay Platinum debit cards to beneficiaries of Haryana State Cooperative Banks. He also handed over registration certificates to two new multipurpose primary agricultural cooperative societies (M-PACS) established by KRIBHCO in the state.
Beyond Agriculture: 'Bharat Taxi' and a Sustainable Future
One of the most forward-looking announcements was the reveal of 'Bharat Taxi', a cooperative-based ride-hailing app set to launch within the next one to two months. Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd., this initiative exemplifies Shah's vision of expanding cooperatives into new-age services to ensure equitable income distribution beyond traditional farming.
Shah underscored the transformative power of cooperatives, citing the example of Amul, which now distributes around Rs 90,000 crore annually to 36 lakh women. He expressed confidence that India could develop at least 20 similar cooperative giants in the next 15 years.
Aligning Haryana's progress with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Shah highlighted the government's systematic strengthening of agriculture through cooperation. He pointed to a new agricultural policy focused on reduced water usage and lower chemical inputs, steering farming towards sustainability.
The scale of government investment was a key highlight. Shah noted that the agriculture budget has skyrocketed from Rs 22,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.27 lakh crore today. Similarly, the rural development budget has risen from Rs 80,000 crore to Rs 1.87 lakh crore, laying a robust foundation for boosting farmers' incomes and revitalizing rural India.
Beyond cooperatives, Shah also addressed internal security, asserting the Modi government's unwavering support for states in combating drug trafficking, cybercrime, and organized crime. The comprehensive address positioned Haryana's holistic development—spanning agriculture, security, and digital innovation—as a model for the nation.
