A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing, chaired by Charanjit Singh Channi, has raised concerns over issues related to cooperative governance, including the election process in Bihar State Cooperative Marketing Union (BISCOMAUN), during its recent meeting with officials of the Ministry of Cooperation.
During the sitting held at Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi, Members sought details from the Ministry regarding reported irregularities in elections to BISCOMAUN and the appointment of nominated directors with voting powers. The Committee emphasised the need for transparent and independent electoral processes in cooperative institutions, including proper preparation of electoral rolls.
Apart from election-related concerns, the panel also reviewed broader issues affecting the cooperative sector. These included strengthening the role of cooperatives in seed distribution, improving transparency in Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) through digitisation, and enhancing the financial viability of cooperative sugar mills.
Members also discussed increasing procurement of milk through cooperatives to benefit dairy farmers, creation of cooperative godowns, and training programmes for cooperative staff and members.
Officials from the Ministry briefed the Committee on budget allocations and ongoing initiatives, while agreeing to provide additional information on some points raised by the Members.