NCUI organized the Northern Zone Conference on Cooperative Development on Monday (29th August, 2022), at Mohali, Chandigarh to discuss the achievements, problems and challenges before the cooperative movement in the Northern region of the country.
The Conference was attended by key representatives of the cooperative organizations from the region. Key dignitaries including Secretary/Registrar of Cooperative Departments from the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir graced the function.
Dileep Sanghani, President, NCUI, its two Vice-Presidents Dr. Bijender Singh and K. Sivadasan Nair, Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, President, KRIBHCO; Sunil Kumar Singh, Chairman, BISCOMAUN represented the apex body on the occasion. More than 400 officials of cooperative departments of Northern Zone states attended the conference.
Inaugurating the conference, the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab Banwari Lal Purohit said cooperatives are a strong medium for the prosperity for the youth and women in the rural areas. The Governor said that the cooperatives can transform the economy if a pool of dedicated professionals are involved in the functioning of cooperatives. He also emphasized upon the need to strengthen the cooperatives for nation building.
Dr Banwari Lal, Minister of Cooperation, Haryana said the Ministry has strengthened the trust of the people in the cooperatives. He said that PACS in the state are being computerized, and this task will be completed by November. Dr Lal said that the cooperative movement has been rejuvenated in the country with the formation of the Cooperation Ministry.
In her KeyNote Address, Mrs. Ravneet Kaur, IAS, Special Chief Secretary (Cooperation), Government of Punjab, said that cooperatives are the only medium for improving the living condition of the farmers and providing them basic necessities. Emphasizing on the need for honesty and transparency in the working of cooperatives, she also said that stress must be laid on creating member awareness and strengthening cooperative education and training.
Dileep Sanghani, President, NCUI, in his Presidential address said that based on the slogan of “Prosperity through Cooperation” of the Ministry and under the guidance of Amit Shah, Hon’ble Union Minister of Cooperation, necessary work has been undertaken regarding formulation of National Cooperative Policy; Model Bylaws of PACS; amendments to Multistate Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, etc. He said that it is a must to involve more youth in the functioning of cooperatives by providing employment opportunities.
Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, President, ICA-AP, Chairman, KRIBHCO, in his speech said that cooperatives can play an important role in creating a $5 trillion economy, an ambitious goal set up by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. He said that cooperation as a subject should be introduced in the school, college and university syllabuses. He also emphasized on the need for increasing the number of members of cooperatives to 60 crore within 2–3 years.
Dr. Bijender Singh, Vice President, NCUI and Chairman, NAFED, on the occasion proposed vote of thanks to all the esteemed dignitaries who were present on the occasion.
