Jammu: Counting various initiatives taken by the Cooperatives Department, Commissioner Secretary, Yasha Mudgal on Sunday said that more than 1500 cooperatives were formed in 18 months across Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking during a seminar on Cooperative Development organised by LEAD LJK Economic Growth and Development Dialogue (LEAD), in association with Sahakar Bharati and J&K Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd, to highlight various aspects of the cooperative movement in J&K here at Kargil Bhawan, she highlighted about the mandate of the government for the development of the cooperative sector and various initiatives taken by the department for the revival of essential institutes for cooperative development, including cooperative banks and cooperative training institutes.

"In a short duration of 18 months, J&K has witnessed formation of more than 1500 cooperatives," she said adding that it provided a platform for key stakeholders to come together and deliberate on strategies to promote and propel the cooperative movement in the region.

Rajeev Gupta (Board Member and Secretary LEAD), Bikram Singh (Working President Sahakar Bharati), and Vikrant Dogra (Chairman, J&K Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd) were panellists in the event.

The event was attended by heads of cooperative societies, prominent members of various organisations in the cooperative sector and NGOs involved in cooperative development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Vikrant Dogra highlighted recent developments in the cooperative moment in the state and laid out the vision of the newly formed J&K Dairy Cooperative Federation.

The federation aims to extend dairy cooperatives moment in all districts of J&K and provide a level playing field to milk producers of J&K by providing benefits under the various schemes of the Government of India.

A pledge for mutual cooperation aimed at developing and promoting the cooperative sector in J&K UT was signed by the three organisations in the presence of Commissioner/Secretary of the Department of Cooperatives.

(With UNI inputs)