18/03/2026
“Sikkim State Cooperative Bank Wins National Best Performing Bank Award; Hosts Key Cooperative Banking Meet with Participation from 20 States”
The Sikkim State Cooperative Bank Ltd (SISCO Bank) proudly secured the First Prize in the Best Performing State Cooperative Bank (Two-Tier Structure) category for 2024–25 at a national-level consultative meeting on Recent Trends in Short-Term Cooperative Credit and Banking. The event was organised by the National Federation of State Cooperative Banks (NAFSCOB) in association with SISCO Bank and held at a local hotel on 17th March 2026, bringing together cooperative leaders and stakeholders from across the country.
The programme was inaugurated by Shri Arun Upreti, Minister for Cooperation and Rural Development, Government of Sikkim, who highlighted the pivotal role of cooperatives in promoting inclusive growth, supporting farmers, and strengthening rural communities.
Eminent leaders who addressed the meeting included:
• Shri Bhima Subrahmanyam – Managing Director, NAFSCOB & President, ICBA
• Shri Chaitanya Sharma – Advisor, SISCO Bank
• Shri Dup Pintso Kaleon – Chairman, SISCO Bank
• Shri Davender Singh Shyam – Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Bank
• Shri Konduru Ravinder Rao – Former Chairman, NAFSCOB
• Shri Rajendra Sarkale – CEO, Satara DCCB
• Shri Satish Marathe – Director, Board of NABARD & Central Board of RBI
• Smt. Pema Chenzom – Managing Director, Sikkim StCB
Speakers highlighted the transformative role of cooperative institutions in fostering rural development and inclusive growth. Key discussions focused on strengthening the Short-Term Cooperative Credit Structure (STCCS) during Amrit Kaal (2022–2047), adopting digital banking, improving governance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting professional management.
Policy reforms such as the National Cooperative Policy 2025, Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP), and initiatives by the Union Ministry of Cooperation were recognised as major drivers of sectoral growth. The discussions also celebrated cooperatives’ role in supporting agriculture, particularly sustainable and organic practices, with Sikkim recognised as a leading example.
The event featured technical sessions and panel discussions covering cooperative credit in North Eastern States, sectoral challenges, regulatory frameworks, and the vision for strengthening cooperative banking in the future. Participation included STCBs, DCCBs, PACS, and ACSTIs from 20 states, reflecting strong national engagement and collaborative exchange of ideas.
Best Performance Awards recognised excellence across the cooperative sector:
• State Cooperative Banks (Two-Tier Structure):
1. Sikkim StCB
2. Nagaland StCB
3. Meghalaya StCB
• Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS):
1. Kalahalli (Karnataka)
2. Shri Ram Vividh Karyakari Seva Sanstha (Maharashtra)
3. Paidimadugu (Telangana)
• District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs):
1. Karimnagar (Telangana)
2. Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
3. Satara (Maharashtra)
• Agricultural Cooperative Staff Training Institutes (ACSTIs):
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Telangana
Also present were Shri Stephen Raj Karki, OSD, Cooperation Department, GoS; Smt. Bidya Biswakarma, Chairperson, Cooperation Department, GoS; Smt. Jabi Thapa, Secretary-cum-PRCS, Cooperation Department, GoS; Shri K.P. Sharma, RCS, Cooperation Department, GoS; Shri Ajay Kumar Sinha, General Manager-cum-OIC, NABARD Sikkim RO; along with board members and staff of SISCO Bank and several other dignitaries.
