NEW DELHI, Aug. 9 -- The recent formation of the new Ministry of Cooperation under the Government of India has raised eyebrows and concerns. It is welcomed as a historic move by some, while others downgrade it as an attempt to enhance the power of the Central Government over Cooperatives. It is being interpreted as an attempt to invade upon the federal rights of the States, thus offending the principles of federalism constituting the core feature of India's Constitution.
The creation of the new Ministry is stated to realise the vision of prosperity through Cooperation, to provide a separate legal and policy framework for strengthening the Cooperative movements in the country and to deepen the cooperative as 'a true people-based movement' ...