Month: March 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Police today (March 26) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tseung Kwan O.

     Tung Kit-yu, aged 22, went missing after she left her residence on Kai King Road on March 23 night. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (March 25).

     She is about 1.65 metres tall, 55 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and long black hair. She was last seen wearing a brown checkered jacket, khaki trousers, black sneakers and carrying a light-coloured recycle bag.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0331 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, led a delegation of Hong Kong principals and education experts to attend the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, on March 25 (Reykjavík time) to discuss the latest trends in global education development with representatives from other regions. She also took the opportunity to promote the advantages of Hong Kong as an international post-secondary education hub.

The Summit was co-organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Education International, the Ministry of Education and Children of Iceland, and the Icelandic Teachers’ Union. Under the theme “Quality Education: The Key to Prosperity and Well-being”, the Summit this year brought together education ministers, teacher leaders and education experts from around the world to exchange views on the promotion of quality early childhood education, the provision of inclusive and supportive learning environments, and a child-centred education system.    

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan at the JUMPSTARTER 2025 Grand Finale today (March 26):
 
Cindy (Chief Executive Officer of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Ms Cindy Chow), distinguished guests, innovators, participants, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good morning. It’s a pleasure to be here at the Grand Finale of Alibaba’s JUMPSTARTER. A warm welcome to all innovators, entrepreneurs and investors joining us today, especially those who have travelled from far and wide.
 
     You have come at a truly exciting time, as we celebrate “Super March” in Hong Kong, a wonderful showcase of an array of global gatherings, from prestigious business conferences like this one to cultural and sporting events such as Art Basel and the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. There are just abundant opportunities to connect, collaborate, and create unforgettable moments together.
 
     Since its inception eight years ago, the Alibaba JUMPSTARTER event has become a remarkable event for start-ups and scale-ups to pitch their innovative ideas and present cutting-edge solutions while connecting with potential investors from around the globe.
 
AI for a sustainable future
 
     More than a competition, today’s event is an excellent platform for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and driving thought leadership regarding our technological future. The theme of this year’s event, “AI and sustainability”, is a crucial one, as it addresses two of the most significant issues facing humanity. The potential of AI to support sustainability goals is vast and evident. Taking climate change as an example, AI’s sweeping application can transform many sectors, through optimising energy consumption, accelerating the development of new materials, enhancing climate forecasting, and much more. 
 
     Indeed, the future of AI is a captivating topic that draws significant attention. One thing is certain: it will transform production, business and consumption models, fundamentally redefining the core competitiveness of many economies. This is why countries and regions around the world are making AI the prime focus.
 
     What is less certain is the path along which AI and related technologies will evolve. Not long ago, we assumed that the unprecedented advancement of AI would lead to an exponential demand for supercomputing power, chips, data centres. The startling emergence of deep learning models like DeepSeek and open-source alternatives has prompted a critical re-evaluation of this assumption. We must now ask ourselves – do we truly need such an abundance of chips? Are we perhaps over-investing in data centres? 
 
     But regardless of the path, one truth remains: the market inherently favours innovative and cost-effective technologies that generate greater value. History shows that groundbreaking solutions can bring about positive disruptions to the market. And this highlights the immense value of start-ups and their innovations. It reinforces that creativity and innovation are equally essential, if not more, in driving success.
 
     Another critical topic is talent in the age of AI. As AI becomes central to economic competitiveness, we must re-invent our education systems to nurture talent for AI-related industries. Enhancing AI literacy among the general population is also vital, equipping individuals with the skills needed to adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by AI.
 
Hong Kong: ahead with AI
 
     Here in Hong Kong, we are harnessing AI’s potential with a forward-looking perspective, actively pursuing a number of directions to secure a promising future with AI. 
 
     First, embracing AI as a core industry. Hong Kong’s future success relies on our ability to leverage AI to empower our industries. We have good potential: five of our universities rank among the global top 50 in data science and AI. Supported by a vibrant start-up ecosystem, we attract global capital and talent. Our city serves as a convergence point for Mainland and international data. To achieve our vision, we will promote more cross-sectoral collaboration among academia, tech and other industries, enabling AI to integrate widely and unleash its full potential. We also support cross-boundary collaboration on AI-related technologies and applications.
 
     Second, nurturing talent for an AI-driven future. Recognising the importance of early intervention, we are actively promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education in schools. Recently, in my Budget, I engaged several leading technology companies in Hong Kong, including Alibaba, to organise a series of activities for primary and secondary school students. Their activities aim at sparking students’ interest in innovation and technology through hands-on experience with AI and robotics. We anticipate enriching these initiatives further in the future.
 
     Finally, promoting responsible AI development. While AI offers tremendous benefits, it also presents challenges that require appropriate safeguards against misuse. In the financial sector, we have issued a policy statement emphasising a responsible approach to adopting AI, balancing its benefits against risks such as cybersecurity threats, intellectual property concerns and data privacy. We anticipate other sectors to similarly establish relevant principles and guidelines tailored to their needs and circumstances.     
 
Concluding remarks
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, the profound discussions on AI underscore the importance of today’s event. From experts’ insights to the innovative pitches by contestants, your contributions will deepen our understanding of this vital area. This collective effort will enhance Hong Kong’s thought leadership and raise our profile as an international hub for AI exchanges and collaboration.
 
     With that in mind, I wish this event a great success, and all of you the best of business and health in the time ahead. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by the Hon Luk Chung-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (March 26):
 
Question:
 
Some organisations have reportedly found that the current disciplinary inquiry system of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong (VSB) is not well-established, lacks sufficient transparency in information disclosure, and has unclear regulatory oversight of general sales and services within veterinary clinics. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether, with reference to the Medical Council of Hong Kong’s practice of posting on its website the judgments of its disciplinary inquiries held since July 2, 2008 and the Dental Council of Hong Kong’s practice of posting on its website the judgments of its disciplinary inquiries handed down since September 17, 2009, it has considered extending the enquiry period for the judgments of the disciplinary inquiries conducted by the VSB’s Inquiry Committee and the orders made by it, as well as including the names of the veterinary surgeons involved in the relevant case summaries; if so, of the implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(2) given that in reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure 2024-2025, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology stated that the VSB’s Inquiry Committee had completed 36 inquiry cases between 2021 and 2023, of which 29 were found to be substantiated, involving 30 veterinary surgeons, but that only two of these veterinary surgeons had been sanctioned with “removal of names of relevant veterinary surgeons from the register for three and six months respectively, along with a reprimand and compulsory participation in continuing professional development programmes or professional seminars”, and it is learnt that many pet owners consider such sanctions to be dissuasive, whether the Government will review the VSB’s existing arrangements for handing down judgments in disciplinary inquiries and consider imposing heavier penalties; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) given that item 22 of Schedule 3 to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Cap. 362) (the Ordinance) provides that a registered veterinary surgeon, as defined by section 2 of the Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap. 529), is an exempt person under the Ordinance, and yet it is learnt that some pet owners have pointed out that veterinary assistants often promote nutrition supplements, pet food, over-the-counter drugs (such as deworming drugs), and medicinal fur cleaners, etc. to them while their pets are undergoing treatment at veterinary clinics, and that some veterinary clinics even promote pet accessories on online social media platforms, coupled with the view that the general conduct of sales within veterinary clinics should be regulated under the Ordinance, whether the Government has considered regulating the general conduct of sales and services within veterinary clinics; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) whether the Government has considered collaborating with relevant Mainland departments to enable local veterinary surgeons to acquire Mainland professional qualifications through agreements for mutual recognition of professional qualifications or professional qualification examinations under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement?

Reply:
 
President,
 
The Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong (VSB) is a statutory body established under the Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap. 529) (the Ordinance), and is responsible for the regulation, registration and disciplinary control of veterinary surgeons, to ensure a high standard of veterinary services in Hong Kong. All veterinary surgeons must comply with the Ordinance and Code of Practice for the Guidance of Registered Veterinary Surgeons (the Code) promulgated by the VSB. The Code provides veterinary surgeons with guidelines on various aspects of conduct, including professional ethics, clinic premises and equipment, advertising and other operational details, etc. If a veterinary surgeon breaches the Code, the VSB may take disciplinary actions against the surgeon.

Having consulted the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the reply to the question from the Hon Luk Chung-hung is as follows:

(1) The VSB currently publishes on its website Orders made by Inquiry Committee within one year with names, and the Findings of Disciplinary Inquiries within three years on an anonymous basis. Moreover, all Orders are published in the Gazette and in one English and one Chinese newspaper circulating in Hong Kong as required by law. In response to the Government’s earlier suggestion on reviewing the existing arrangements with reference to the practices of other professional regulatory bodies, the VSB is considering extending the time for publishing Orders and Findings on its website.

(2) The VSB handles the complaints received in accordance with the complaint mechanism and disciplinary procedures provided under the Ordinance and the Rules of the Veterinary Surgeons Board (Disciplinary Proceedings). To ensure fairness and transparency of the disciplinary procedures, lay persons who represents the interests of persons utilizing veterinary services (e.g. members of animal welfare organisations or tertiary institutions) or medical and health professionals are involved in the handling of complaints by the VSB’s Preliminary Investigation Committee and Inquiry Committee, and the public can also observe the disciplinary hearings. The Inquiry Committee takes into account a number of factors in determining the judgment and penalty, including the seriousness of the case, the character, antecedents and disciplinary record of the veterinary surgeon involved (if any), and the reasons for mitigation (if any), etc., to make an appropriate disciplinary order. To further enhance the disciplinary mechanism, the VSB is considering the feasibility of drawing up guidelines on disciplinary sanctions.

(3) According to Schedule 3 to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Cap. 362), a registered veterinary surgeon is an exempt person, which refers that the acts in the capacity of his or her profession are exempted from being regulated by the “fair trading sections” of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. However, sections 4 and 5 of such Ordinance about the requirement of the provision of information in relation to goods, and section 7 about trade descriptions of goods applied in the course of any trade or business remain applicable.
 
For persons who are not registered veterinary surgeons (including veterinary assistants), if they are suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices in the course of selling pet nutritional supplements, food and other supplies at veterinary clinics or through online platforms, the Customs and Excise Department may take enforcement actions pursuant to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Offenders may be prosecuted, and are liable to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for five years and a fine of $500,000.

Moreover, the Code stipulates that veterinary surgeons have the responsibility to supervise and ensure persons who are not registered veterinary surgeons engaged in merchandising are adequately trained to advise clients on directions for use of the products sold and to judge when the client should receive the personal attention of the veterinary surgeon; and the display and sale of goods are such as not to diminish the public’s confidence in the scientific integrity and impartiality of the profession, or damage relationships between the profession and the public. If persons who are not registered veterinary surgeons fail to meet the standards expected of the profession, the registered veterinary surgeon responsible for supervision may be regarded as committing professional misconduct or neglect, and members of the public may lodge a complaint with the VSB in respect of such professional misconduct or neglect.

(4) Under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement Agreement on Trade in Services (Agreement), eligible Hong Kong residents may apply in the Guangdong Province to take the qualification examination for veterinary practitioners in the whole Mainland, and a corresponding qualification certificate will be issued to those passing the examination. The Agreement also allows Hong Kong residents who have obtained the qualification as national practising Licensed Veterinarians to practise on the Mainland. The Government will continue to liaise with the trade to understand their demand for practising on the Mainland.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, which drew some 360 influential global family office principals, visionary leaders and industry pioneers to explore how wealth can drive social progress and sustainable impact, concluded today.

Co-organised by the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong, the third edition of the summit delivered an influential platform for collaboration and innovation and drew global decision-makers from regions including the Mainland, Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Hong Kong.

Themed “Hong Kong of the World, for the World”, the event was opened by Financial Secretary Paul Chan. He noted that as an international financial centre, Hong Kong is an ideal place for family offices to thrive.

“We have a robust network of world-class financial service professionals and offer an extensive array of investment opportunities.

“In this city, international foundations, charities and non-governmental organisations come together to form a vibrant philanthropy network. We are also investing heavily to propel Hong Kong’s development in innovation and technology like green tech and AI, benefiting the future of humanity.

“All these, together with the quality lifestyle in Hong Kong, the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures, the dazzling array of mega events, make Hong Kong the ideal place for family offices to thrive and realise their ambitions.”

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui supplemented that the well-received event reaffirmed Hong Kong’s stature as a pre-eminent global hub for family offices.

He said: “This vibrant city – a beacon of opportunity, a super connector between East and West, and a thriving hub for over 2,700 single family offices – is where your vision, your capital, and your passion can flourish.

“Together, we stand on the cusp of a new era, one where wealth is not just preserved but harnessed as a force for good, transcending borders and generations.

“I invite you to join us in a shared mission: to build, to learn, and to give. These three pillars will define our collaboration, inspiring you to leverage Hong Kong’s unique ecosystem to create a lasting impact.”

The summit featured a distinguished lineup of international speakers who shared insights on the transformative power of wealth. At panel discussions, participants delved into the evolving landscape of art, culture and luxury, the strategic delivery of impact philanthropy, and the expanding role of technology and artificial intelligence in driving sustainable wealth creation. There was also a fireside chat.

Many speakers today rated Hong Kong highly as an ideal place for setting up family offices.

Alibaba Group Co-founder & Chairman Joe Tsai said even through challenging times, Hong Kong’s free-market DNA, vibrant financial markets, and supportive tax environment stand out – making it one of the best places for businesses and family offices to thrive.

The summit concluded with a gala dinner where attendees engaged in discussions about family legacies and opportunities.

Source: Government of India

Innovation is key to India’s future: Shri Piyush Goyal at National Intellectual Property Awards 2024

Shri Piyush Goyal Calls for AI and Data Analytics in Trademark Searches, Strengthened Copyright Protection

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 10:16PM by PIB Delhi

Innovation is the key to India’s march towards Viksit Bharat. This was stated by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal at the National Intellectual Property Awards 2024.

The National Intellectual Property (IP) Awards are conferred annually to recognize and reward individuals, institutions, organizations, and enterprises for their outstanding contributions to IP creation and commercialization. These awards play a crucial role in strengthening the IP ecosystem in India and fostering innovation and creativity. The National IP Awards encourage effective IP portfolio management, which significantly impacts innovation across various industry sectors. The award function was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today. Judge of Delhi High Court, Justice Prathiba Maninder Singh was present on the ocassion.

Shri Goyal emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem through legislative changes, administrative reforms, and new initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and research. He said that, “This is the sangam of tradition and technology. Innovation has always been in our DNA. We are very proud that ‘zero’ originated from India. Chess, too, is now being recognized as a game that originated from our ancient tradition of Chaturanga. Innovation will define India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat.”

Highlighting the significance of research and development (R&D), Shri Goyal stressed that no country can claim to be developed without focusing on innovation, new ideas, and technology-driven progress. “In our Amrit Kaal, as we work towards making India a resilient economy, R&D will play a crucial role. We are moving towards becoming a powerhouse of new technologies and ideas,” he added.

Shri Goyal announced the government’s continued efforts to support scientific advancements through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), which will facilitate collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia. “The NRF will be instrumental in fostering enthusiasm for science and technology innovation among stakeholders,” he noted.

The Minister also highlighted key achievements and reforms in India’s IP landscape. India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index has improved significantly, from 81 in 2015 to 39 in the latest ranking. India now has the sixth-largest trademark filings globally, with patent grants reaching approximately 100,000 last year. There has been a reduction of fees by 80% for women entrepreneurs, startups, and MSMEs to encourage greater participation in the IP ecosystem. The government has implemented digital interventions to streamline trademark applications and patent processes. The recruitment of approximately 400 new patent examiners currently undergoing training will expedite patent processing and ensure speedy grant and protection of inventions. The inauguration of a state-of-the-art IP office building in Dwarka, accommodating over 750 officers, will enhance operational efficiency.

To further strengthen India’s IP framework, Shri Goyal called for more judicial support in IP-related cases. He proposed setting up specialized IP benches in High Courts and introducing an internship system for young law students to familiarize them with the IP ecosystem.

Shri Goyal emphasized the need for modern technologies such as AI and data analytics in trademark searches and IP enforcement. He also stressed the importance of stronger copyright protection measures to safeguard the interests of innovators and businesses.

Encouraging grassroots innovation, he lauded the Atal Tinkering Labs initiative, which fosters innovation among schoolchildren. He also advocated for greater public-private-academic partnerships, leveraging Anusandhan NRF funds to drive research initiatives.

Quoting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Goyal concluded, “The significance of science is not only in invention and development but also in fulfilling the aspirations of the last person. Inclusive growth remains our mantra, and scientific progress must support our efforts to bring development benefits to the most marginalized.”

Award Categories and Winners

The National Intellectual Property Awards 2024 were conferred across the following 13 categories:

S. No.	Category of National IP Awards	Name of Awardee
1	Top Indian Individual –  Patents	Sidramappa Shivashankar Dharane (Male)
		Dr. Swagatika Panda (Female)
2	Top Indian Individual – Designs	Dr. Anusha P. (Female)
3	Top Indian Academic Institution – Patents	Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
4	Top R & D  Institution/Organization for Patents Filing, Grant & Commercialization	Anna University
5	Top Public /Private Company  for Patents Filing, Grant & Commercialization in India
	a. Manufacturing Sector	Tata Steel Limited
	b. Services Sector	Jio Platforms Limited
6	Top Indian MSME for Patent Filing, Grant & Commercialization	West Bengal Chemical Industries Ltd.
7	Top Start-up for IP Filing, Grant/Registration and Commercialization	Numeros Motors Pvt. Ltd.
8	Top Indian Company/Organisation – Designs	Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
9	Top Indian Company /Organization for creating Brand in India and Abroad	Biocon Biologics Ltd.
10	Best Incubator for Nurturing the IP	AIC – Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation

 

Special Citations

Special citations were also awarded in the following four categories:

 

S. No.	Category	Name of Awardee
1	For Technology and Innovation Support Center  (TISC)	West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology, West Bengal
2	For Patent Information Centre (PIC)	West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology, West Bengal
3	For Institution’s Innovation Council (IICs)	Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune
4	For Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL)	DCM Presidency School, Ludhiana.

Additionally, a Jury Certificate Award was conferred for a Rural Centric Invention to-Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited & Coromandel International Limited.

A Letter of Appreciation, as recommended by the Award Jury, was also presented in the following categories:

S. No.	Category	Name of Awardee
1	Of Special Citation- ATL	Amity International School, Sector-6, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad
2	Of Top Public /Private Company  for Patents Filing, Grant & Commercialization in India	NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA)

Linking of National IP Awards with WIPO Awards

As part of the global recognition initiative, the National IP Awards are linked with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Awards, which include:

1. WIPO National Award for Inventors – Recognizing inventors for their contributions to national wealth and development.
2. WIPO National Award for Enterprises – Encouraging businesses, including SMEs, to leverage the IP system in their operations.
3. WIPO National Award for WIPO Users – Recognizing early adopters or innovative users of WIPO’s IP services.

These WIPO Awards were conferred in the following categories:

S. No.	Category	Name of Awardee
1	WIPO IP Enterprises Trophy	Jio Platforms Limited
		Tata Steel Limited
2	WIPO Medal for Inventors	Sidramappa Shivashankar Dharane
3	WIPO Users Trophy	Biocon Biologics Limited
		Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

The National Intellectual Property Awards 2024 reaffirm India’s commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening its IP framework, and accelerating growth in the intellectual property landscape.

***

Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2115570) Visitor Counter : 263

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replies to the discussion on Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, the Lower House passes the Bill after discussion

After 75 years of independence, the country is getting its first cooperative university

Tribhuvan Sahkari University will strengthen the rural economy as well as promote innovation and research in the cooperative sector

The Cooperative University will have the capacity to train 8 lakh people every year

The cooperative university will provide the entire country with young cooperative leadership equipped with the spirit of cooperation and modern education

In the previous governments, there was injustice with cooperative institutions in terms of taxes, Modi government gave respect to PACS and reduced the taxes imposed on them

Soon, cooperative institutions will provide taxi and insurance services

The cooperative university will play an important role in the foundation of a prosperous India that Modi ji is laying through cooperation

The principle of “Cooperation among Cooperatives” is being implemented in the Modi government

The opposition is protesting because there is no university in the name of a particular family, they do not know that Tribhuvan Das Patel was also their leader

When PACS will reach every Panchayat, then the cooperative movement of the country will be established in a balanced manner

100% organic products are being made available across the country in the name of ‘Bharat Brand’

Co-operative sector is the only one that connects crores of people with the country’s development through self-employment and also protects their dignity

The 10-year period of the Modi government will be written in golden letters for the welfare of the poor of the country

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 9:37PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today replied to the discussion on the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha in the Parliament. Subsequently the bill was passed by the lower house.

Replying to the discussion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that cooperation sector touches lives of all families in the country in some way or the other. He said that every village has some or the other cooperative unit engaged in agricultural development, rural development or generating employment thereby contributing to the development of the country. Shri Shah said that after 75 years of independence, today the country is getting its first cooperative university. He said that this bill will strengthen the rural economy, develop the ecosystem of self-employment and small entrepreneurship, increase social inclusion and will increase opportunities to set new standards in innovation and research. He said that in a way, the whole country will get a new cooperative leadership inspired by the spirit of cooperation and equipped with modern education.

Shri Amit Shah said that it was decided to name this cooperative university as Tribhuvan Sahkari University. He said that Tribhuvan Das Patel was among many others who laid the foundation of co-operatives in India under the guidance of Sardar Patel. He said that it is the cooperative institution Gujarat State Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which is popularly known as Amul. He said that the journey of Amul which began in 1946 with 250 litres of milk in a town of Gujarat, has today become India’s largest dairy brand and stands before the world. Shri Shah said that in 2003, the turnover of Amul was Rs 2882 crore which has crossed Rs 60 thousand crore today. He said that the opposition is protesting because there is no university in the name of a particular family; they do not know that Tribhuvan Das Patel was also their leader.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that in 2014, a new government under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi came to power and the 10-year period of the Modi government will be written in golden letters for the welfare of the poor of the country. He said that in these 10 years, houses were built for the poor, toilets were built, drinking water was provided to the poor, free ration of 5 kg free food grains for the poor, gas connections for the poor, free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, and electricity for all in the country has been accomplished. He said that in the past 10 years, 25 crore people of the country have been brought above poverty line. Shri Shah said that what was essential for living for the poor people of the country, who used to spend their lifetime for it, were provided to them by Prime Minister Modi in the past 10 years. He said that now the question before these crores of people is how can they grow further, how to start a business and contribute to the development of the country with no capital. Shri Shah said that the only way to connect a person without capital with entrepreneurship is Cooperation. He said through Cooperation crores of people with small capital are coming together to start their businesses and are living with dignity by generating self-employment.

Shri Amit Shah said that in a country like India with a population of over 130 crore, employment is also a big indicator of the health of the country’s economy, along with GDP. He said that cooperatives are the only sector that connects 130 crore people with the country’s development through self-employment and also protects their dignity. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi formed the Ministry of Cooperatives three and a half years ago, fulfilling the decades-long demand of farmers, villagers, and cooperative leaders. He said that after the formation of the Ministry of Cooperatives, a new chapter of development of cooperatives has started.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that today there are 8 lakh cooperative societies in India and 30 crore people are their members. In a way, every fifth person in the country is associated with cooperatives, but no effort was made for its development in the past 75 years. Shri Shah said that cooperatives were running unevenly across the country and anomalies had started to appear in the cooperative movement. He said that it was the reason for Modi ji to established the Cooperative Ministry. Since its establishment, the Ministry of Cooperatives has done a lot of work in the last three and a half years. He said that to develop cooperatives, a national cooperative database was prepared together with all the states and today information about cooperatives of every state, district and village is available in this database.

Shri Amit Shah said that 2 lakh new Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) will be formed in the country and there will not be a single Panchayat in the country where there will not be a PACS. He said that the Modi government decided to change the by-laws of PACS and the entire country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Northeast to Dwarka accepted the model by-laws issued by the Centre. This enabled linking of more than 25 economic activities with PACS, improvements in the election process and development of a common accounting software, available in all languages ​so that it can cater to all. He said that 43 thousand PACS Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been established in the country where benefits and facilities of more than 300 schemes of the Central and State Government are available. Shri Shah said that today 36 thousand PACS are working as PM Samridhi Kendras in the country, 4 thousand PACS have been established as Jan Aushadhi Kendras and 400 PACS are also running petrol pumps.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that the Modi government started the world’s largest grain storage scheme and so far 576 PACS have started the work of building godowns. Work on 11 of these has been completed and now the paddy and wheat purchased by PACS is being stored there. He said that more than 67 thousand PACS of the country have been connected with computers, software and data storage. Today, out of these 67,930 PACS, 43,658 PACS are working through computers. Now their accounts are reconciled in the evening, along with online audit, all business is also done online. He said that computerization has brought a revolution in the cooperative sector.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that with the creation of 2 lakh PACS, one in every Panchayat, the cooperative movement of our country will once again stand in a balanced manner. He said that more than 550 cooperative societies have been onboarded for procurement on Government e Marketing (GeM). Shri Shah said that during the previous governments, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) faced a lot of injustice in Income Tax. The Modi Government has reduced the surcharge on income tax of cooperative societies from 12 to 7 percent, reduced MAT (Minimum Alternate Tax) from 18.5 to 15 percent, exempted from income tax penalty on transactions of less than two lakh rupees and reduced the rate for manufacturing cooperative societies from 30 to 15 percent. He said that the limit of cash deposit for PACS and others has been increased from 20 thousand to 2 lakh rupees. Along with this, the limit of exemption from TDS has been increased from one crore rupees to three crore rupees.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government has formed three new national-level cooperative societies which will work to improve backward and forward linkages. He said that about 8 thousand PACs have been associated with the National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL) and through these, our farmers’ products are being exported abroad. So far, 12 lakh tonnes of materials have been sold in the global markets through NCEL and the profit is being deposited directly into the farmers’ accounts. Shri Shah said that along with this, our traditional seeds are being preserved by preserving and collecting them through the Bharatiya Seed Cooperative Society Limited (BBSSL). Organic products are being certified as Bharat Brand through the National Cooperative Organic Limited (NCOL). He said that 100% organic products are being made available across the country under the name of ‘Bharat Brand’.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that when a small farmer or a rural person takes a loan, he also repays it, with interest. He said that this is why the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has done a business of Rs 90 thousand crore with zero NPA. Shri Shah said that NCDC has given 44 sea trawlers to the fishermen of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Rs 10 thousand crore has been given to 48 cooperative sugar mills. About 3 thousand Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) and one thousand 70 Fisherman Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPO) have been formed. He said that NCDC has earned a profit of Rs 800 crore this time. NCDC has succeeded in increasing the loan and keeping zero NPA and has also increased the profit from Rs 100 crore to Rs 800 crore.

Shri Shah said that to ensure flow of funds in the cooperative sector, an initiative of ‘Cooperation Among Cooperatives’ was undertaken in Panchmahal and Banaskantha districts of Gujarat. Under this, it was ensured that the members of every cooperative institution and cooperative society necessarily have their bank accounts in cooperative banks. Shri Shah said that he too has opened his account in a cooperative bank. He said that due to the initiative of ‘Cooperation Among Cooperatives’, deposits in banks in Gujarat have increased by about Rs 8000 crore. Due to all these steps, people’s confidence in cooperative banks has increased.

Shri Amit Shah said that earlier, Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) were not allowed to open new branches, but now they have permission from Reserve Bank of India to open up to 10 percent new branches on their own. Earlier, they were not allowed to provide ‘doorstep banking’ i.e. banking facilities to people at their homes, but now Urban Cooperative Banks can provide the facility of ‘doorstep banking’. Shri Shah said that earlier, Urban Cooperative Banks were not allowed ‘one time settlement’, but now they have been enabled like nationalized and scheduled banks to do ‘one time settlement’. Earlier, issues of cooperative banks were not entertained by RBI, but now a nodal officer has been appointed with the duty to hear the problems of cooperative banks and provide solutions. The loan limit of home loans given by Urban Cooperative Banks has been doubled. Permission has also been given to give loans to commercial real estate. He said that a lot of work has also been done to strengthen non-scheduled banks.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that an umbrella organization of National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies Limited (NAFCUB) has been formed. He said that whenever a cooperative bank becomes weak, NAFCUB will finance it and save it from closure. Modi ji has also increased the insurance of depositors from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, this has increased the confidence in cooperative banks.

Shri Amit Shah said that for the last several years, big cooperative leaders have been Agriculture Ministers, but the income tax problem faced by cooperative sugar mills was not resolved.  He said that Shri Narendra Modi Ji ended the problem of income tax assessment forever in 2022, soon after he formed a new Ministry of Cooperation. The pending demand of Rs 4600 crore of sugar mills was met and the move put a break to the cycle of annual demand generation by the sugar mills of Rs 8 thousand crores. Cooperative sugar mills have hardly got such a huge benefit after independence. He said that a loan of Rs 10 thousand crore was sanctioned to 84 mills. Cooperative sugar mills were given priority in the Ethanol Blending program. A finance scheme was also started for Molasses based ethanol plant and multi feed plant. Our government reduced the GST rate on Molasses from 28 percent to 5 percent. Shri Shah said that the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) office was computerized, Registrar offices in the states were computerized, branches of Rural Development Banks were computerized and the entire expense of these works was borne by the Government of India.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that under White Revolution 2.0, a target has been set to increase the procurement of milk from the current 660 lakh liters per day to 1000 lakh liters per day in 2028-29. He said that in the last three years, India has become the largest milk producing country in the world. One-fourth of the total milk production of the world is produced in India. In the year 2023-24, it has increased to about 24 crore tonnes. In the year 2014-15, this figure was 14.6 crore tonnes. He said that in the last 10 years, milk production has increased from 14.6 crore tonnes to 24 crore tonnes. Today there are 23 national level and 240 district level unions, 28 marketing dairies have been formed and primary milk production committees have also been formed in 2.30 lakh villages.

Shri Amit Shah said that now cooperative dairies are working on the principles of circularity. They will also provide animal feed to farmers who sell milk privately. Cooperative dairies will also vaccinate animals. Cooperative dairies will collect their dung and make gas. When the animal dies, its skin and bones will also be sent to the market through cooperative dairies with the earning coming back to the farmers directly. Work has already started on all these projects at a cost of Rs 10 thousand crore. Shri Shah said that more than 70 percent of the members associated with the dairy sector are women who will be empowered due to economic benefits in sector.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the previous governments did nothing on the demand for procurement of pulses at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). But Modi Government decided to purchase three pulses from farmers at 100 percent MSP. Shri Shah said that those farmers who get themselves registered through NAFED and NCCF websites are entitled to get this facility. He said similar facility is also extended to maize farmers, who on registering themselves on NAFED and NCCF websites, can offload their 100 per cent produce to the Government at MSP.

Shri Amit Shah said that for the first time we have created a cooperative ranking framework which will provide a dedicated system of performance evaluation in the cooperative sector, which has seven major parameters. He said PACS, dairy, fisheries, urban cooperative, housing credit and Khadi and Village Industries Committees will be covered under the scheme. Now awards for excellence will be given at the district, state and national level for promoting cooperatives. The cooperative entities will be able to get loans from cooperative banks according to their ranking.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ is not just a slogan, the Ministry of Cooperation has worked day and night in three and a half years to realise it. He said that in a few months, a very big cooperative taxi service will be started, in which registration of two wheelers, taxis, rickshaws and four wheelers will be possible and the profit will go directly to the driver. He said that soon a cooperative insurance company is also going to be formed which will do the work of insurance in the cooperative system of the country. Shri Shah said that in a short time it will become the largest insurance company in the private sector.

Shri Amit Shah said that the work of registering an institute of Cooperative studies in any part of the country will be done after checking its status. He said that in view of the development and expansion of the cooperative sector, trained human resources are needed and Tribhuvan Sahkari University will work to fulfill this need. After the formation of a cooperative university, its diploma and degree holders will get jobs. Through this university, we will make a big contribution to the domestic as well as global value chain. New age cooperative culture will also start from this university. He said that there are thousands of cooperative education training institutes spread across the country, but none of them has a common course. We have done the work of designing the course keeping in mind the needs of the cooperative sector even before the university was formed. There will also be degree, diploma courses in the university and PhD degrees will also be given. There will also be a one-week certificate course for the existing employees.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that through this bill, cooperative principles and cooperative activities will be expanded. The cooperative sector will benefit from new technology. Research and innovation will also increase and the cooperative sector will be strengthened on the ground. This will also strengthen the rural economy. Shri Amit Shah said that being associated with the name of a great man like Tribhuvan Das, this cooperative university will prove to be a high-quality university. It will work to produce excellent cooperative workers in the country.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that the University will be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The country’s first university dedicated to the cooperative sector will be built 75 years after independence and it will have the capacity to provide education to about 8 lakh candidates every year. Colleges affiliated with the university will be opened in almost every district within a year. When 8 lakh people will graduate with diploma, degree or certificate every year, there will be an infusion of new blood in the cooperative movement. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that he has been associated with cooperatives since the age of 18 and has experienced its strengths and weaknesses. He said that Modi Ji is laying the foundation of a prosperous India and this bill will provide a strong structure in it. Shri Shah said that Tribhuvan Das Patel Ji’s vision was that profits in the cooperative sector should reach every poor woman, hence this bill is named after him.

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