Goa, the 25th State in the Union of India was liberated on 19th December, 1961 from Portuguese. It was a part of Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu till 30th May, 1987 when it was framed a separate State.

The Cooperative Movement was launched in the erstwhile Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu way back in the year 1962, for the upliftment of the downtrodden and weaker section of the Society. Soon, it spread over different aspect and sectors such as agriculture, credit, consumers, housing, dairy farming and other types of cooperative societies.

To cater to the needs of various cooperative societies and to have control over it, the State Government established the Department of Cooperation in the year 1962. The Department of Cooperation i.e. the office of Registrar of Cooperative Societies is the registering and controlling Authority of all the Cooperative Societies.

Initially, the State had adopted the Maharashtra State Coop. Societies Act, 1960 and the Rules, 1962 made thereunder for the registration and control of Cooperative Societies. Subsequently, the State enacted its own law, The Goa Cooperative Societies Act, 2001, and Rules 2003. At present all the Cooperative Societies registered in the State of Goa is governed under the provisions of Goa Cooperative Societies Act, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as “said Act”) and the Cooperative Societies Rules 2003 made thereunder (hereinafter referred to as “ said Rules”).

AIMS, OBJECTIVES, MISSION & VISION OF THE DEPARTMENT

Objective of the Department:

The primary objective of the Department of Cooperation is to see that Cooperative Societies are organized and managed in lines of the basic Cooperative principles for the promotion of the economic interests and welfare of the people and to render guidance and assistance for the development of cooperative movement in the State.

Cooperative Principles :

• Voluntary and Open Membership
• Democratic Member Control.
• Member Economic Participation.
• Autonomy and Independence.
• Education, Training and information.
• Cooperation Among Cooperatives.
• Concern for Community.

Mission of the Department:

• To promote, expand and to strengthen the cooperative movement in all walks of life in the State.
• To facilitate the formation of new cooperative societies for fulfilling the economic needs of their members.
• To facilitate the successful working of the cooperative institutions in tune with the internationally recognized principles of cooperation keeping in view the needs of the members; and
• To be a friend, philosopher and guide to the cooperative institutions in managing their affairs on sound and professional lines.

Vision of the Department:

To build a sustained, self-reliant and successful cooperative for the promotion of economic interest and welfare of the subjects of the cooperative societies.