A grand show in the name of Cooperative Congress was organized by Gujarat State Cooperative Union in the Trimandir, Gandhinagar on Tuesday. Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of the state was the chief guest.
Mr G H Amin, President and prime mover of the show said that more than 3000 delegates have participated in what he called the cooperative kumbh.
The Chief Minister Narendra Modi reminded the delegates that Gujarat is a land of cooperatives and on its holy soil the movement has flourished unabated. Modi, however was critical of UPA government and castigated its proposal of free trade agreement. It is sure to harm our farmers, he thundered.
Modi said that cooperatives should continuously strive to remain taint free and try to uphold the faith of members. He referred to the example of Gujarat and expressed satisfaction that the state has set high standard of cooperative values. Gujarat has achieved distinction in this, he said.
He asked Centre to release Rs 260 crore due to state in the wake of Vaidyanathan Committee report. Modi also promised never to allow political interference in the working of cooperatives- an issue which has been bane of the movement since its beginning.
Modi also favoured Cooperatives sponsoring national and international sports. He is of the view that cooperatives acquire global exposure through this act.
Criticizing the role of Nabard Modi said that cooperative is a state subject and Nabard has no job dictating its terms. He also reminded Centre that reform in cooperative is possible only in consultation with the states. Federal structure enshrined in the Constitution should be respected, Modi added.
Modi faulted Indian Railways and blamed it for not helping the farmers in sending their milk products into other states. Carrying milk through trucks is proving costly for the cooperatives like Amul, he added.
Recounting State government’s role in strengthening the cooperative movement in the state he said that four cooperative banks which were on the verge of closure were saved by infusing about Rs 80 crores.
Gujarat Chief Minister did not forget to mention the ambitious project of erecting the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhia Patel on the lines of Stattue of Liberty. He sounded enthusiastic and added that iron component would be gathered from all villages of India.
The man behind the show G H Amin offered Modi the Cooperative Cap. The beautiful cap was a specimen of result of cooperation among different colours!
G H Amin was critical of Nabard for its recent circular in which it aimed as severely restricting the role of Primary Agricultural Societies. He requested NABARD to withdraw it sooner than later.
Amin expressed satisfaction that cooperative is a huge success in the field of sugar and dairy.But he lamented that corresponding development in the credit cooperative is not taking place. Amin stressed on the need of improving this sector.
The Congress was attended by high and mighty of the land. They included Bhupendra Singh Chudasama,state education and law minister,Babubhia Bokheria, agriculture and cooperation minister,Vipul Chaudhary, GCMMF Chairman, R S Sodhi, MD of GCCMF, former ministers Narhari Amin and Dilip Sangani Ajay Patel,Chairman of the state cooperative bank, among others’.
Guests like veteran cooperator Shivaji Rao Patil, Biscomaun Chiarman Sunil Singh, NCUI’s Chief Executive Dr Dinesh and many others also graced the occasion. More than 3000 delegates from grass root level came to participate in the high voltage cooperative show.
Gujarat organizes Cooperative Congress at the interval of every three years.
