Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday urged States to work together for the holistic development of cooperative sector so that it can contribute significantly in making India a $5 trillion economy.

Addressing a two-day National Conference of State Cooperation Ministers here, Shah asserted that efforts should be made to ensure that cooperative movement run at the same speed in every state of India, a statement said.

 "In those states where the activities have stopped or slowed down, the effort should be to accelerate. For that, we need a new national cooperative policy," Shah, who is also the Union Home Minister, said. The new policy should be framed to ensure all round development of cooperative sector in all states and Union Territories, and also identify new areas, he added.

 Shah pointed out that cooperative movement is strong in West and South India, but in developing stage in north and central India while least developed in east and north-eastern states.  He asserted that the cooperative departments of all the states should follow the same path of development and adopt uniform policies.

 Earlier this week, the Government announced constitution of a 47-member committee, headed by former union cabinet minister Suresh Prabhu, to draft a new national cooperation policy document that will promote cooperative-based economic development model. The new National Cooperative Policy is being formulated to realise the vision of 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi'.  "All the states will have to work together in spirit of Team India for development of the cooperative sector.

Our target should be that in 100 years, cooperatives become a strong pillar of country's economy," Shah said, adding that  cooperatives should play a major role in taking the country's economy to USD 5 trillion.