The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the declaration of Madurai Airport, Tamil Nadu, as an International Airport. Madurai Airport, located in the Temple City of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is one of the oldest airports in the State. It serves as a crucial gateway to Southern Tamil Nadu. Elevating Madurai Airport to International Status would enhance regional connectivity, promote trade, and drive economic development in the region. The airport’s potential to attract international pilgrims and businesses aligns with the city’s historical prominence.
Cabinet approves extension of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) period up to December 2028 with enhanced outlay and restructured implementation focusing on structural reforms in rural drinking water supply sector under JJM 2.0. To this end, a uniform national digital framework, namely “Sujalam Bharat”, shall be instituted, under which every village shall be assigned a unique Sujal Gaon / Service Area ID, digitally mapping the complete drinking water supply system from source to tap. For ensuring transparency and accountability the involvement of GPs and VWSCs in the commissioning and formal handover of schemes through “Jal Arpan”. A Gram Panchayat shall certify completion of works and declare itself “Har Ghar Jal” only upon confirmation that adequate in-village operation and maintenance mechanisms have been established by the State Government. Recognizing that community ownership and participation are critical for operational efficiency and source sustainability, the programme shall promote “Jal Utsav” as an annual, community-led maintenance and review event, integrating local cultural ethos while reinforcing collective responsibility for drinking water secure future.
Cabinet approves two multitracking projects covering 5 Districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 192 Kms
No formal branch office of Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) has been established in the State of Bihar. However, BBSSL is undertaking its activities such as seed distribution and seed production through cooperative societies in the State of Bihar.
Ministry of Cooperation, since its inception on 6th July, 2021, has undertaken several initiatives to realize the vision of “Sahakar-se-Samriddhi” and to strengthen & deepen the cooperative movement from Primary to apex-level Cooperatives in the country.
The National Cooperative Database (NCD) has been developed by Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, with the support of States / UTs. The NCD portal was launched on 08th March, 2024. This database was developed in three phases, and includes data on parameters such as location, membership, economic activities, infrastructure of the cooperatives, financial performance and Audit details of cooperatives. The National Cooperative Database (NCD) can be used by policy makers, State Governments and other stakeholders to strengthen the cooperative movement, particularly in areas where societies are underperforming. The database is used for identification of gaps in the geographical spread of cooperatives, including both covered and uncovered gram panchayats across the country including Rajasamand district of Rajasthan.
The Ministry of Cooperation is committed to empowering cooperatives as instruments of employment generation, social security, and grassroots economic participation. Bharat Taxi is envisaged as a transformative intervention in the mobility sector by placing drivers—referred to as Sarathis—at the centre of ownership, governance, and value creation, thereby offering a sustainable and dignified alternative to aggregator-driven models. “Bharat Taxi” is India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform. This is a major milestone in the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the cooperative sector and promote inclusive, citizen-centric mobility solutions, in line with the vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi was established on 6 June 2025 by 8 national level institutions working in the field of cooperatives and officially launched on 5th February, 2026.
Cooperative Societies registered under the provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002 function as autonomous cooperative organisations and are accountable to their members. MSCSs function as per the provisions of Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 and rules framed there under read with approved bye-laws of the Society which includes the role and powers of the member, Board, General Body of the Society and Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS).
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana – Under the PMMSY, support is provided for the welfare of traditional fishermen, small scale fish farmers for development of fisheries and allied activities in the country including Government of Tamil Nadu. The activities includes, acquiring new fishing boats and nets to enhance their fishing capacities, Livelihood and Nutritional Support in the form of financial assistance during the annual fishing ban period to mitigate their economic hardships, accidental insurance cover for protection of fishers, support undertaking sea cage farming, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fish farming, pearl farming etc., for climate resilient and alternative livelihood support to coast fishers, deployment of Artificial Reefs in the coastal areas for replenishment of fisheries resources in the traditional fishing grounds and restoration of coastal ecosystems, support for upgrading their present fishing vessels to modern deep-sea fishing vessels for diversification and enhancement of income of fishers. Further, alternative sustainable livelihood activities through the mariculture activities like cage culture, seaweed, Training and Capacity Building programs to enhance skills and knowledge in modern fishing practices and infusion of technologies are also supported under the PMMSY to improve the socio-economic conditions of traditional fishers and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
The manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs are regulated in the country under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection.
