KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Hydro Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhushal said people’s living standards could be raised through cooperatives.

The government has adopted the three-pillar economic policy of public, private and cooperatives for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation, she said, adding the cooperatives should therefore focus how the financially poor people could be lifted up the poverty line.

Minister Bhushal was saying it while inaugurating the 21st annual general meeting of Prativa Multi-Purpose Cooperatives Saturday. “Cooperatives should be utilized for the empowerment of people and social justice,” she added.

On a different note, Bhushal viewed one should implement the sociopolitical and economic rights from his/her own family so that holistic development could be achieved in the country. On the occasion, cooperative chair Madhav Prasad Timalsina presented the cooperatives activities and financial information.