Though co-ops across the country are doing a good job in reaching the last man of society, there are district level cooperatives rendering extraordinary services to the poor families and improving their standard of living.
One such story comes from Karnataka’s village namely Chennahalli in Bangalore district where Gnana Shale Souharda Co-operative has come forward to help the tribal community of this village in a big way. Despite the village located near Bangalore International Airport its conditions have been appalling.
Gnana Shale Souharda Co-operative Limited is giving microfinance to the tribal community at a negligible rate of interest. Besides, the society is educating the villagers about new business ideas.
Talking to Indian Cooperative, the society Chairman Sridhar Neelkant said, “No, banks are willing to provide them loans for starting business or any other activity. Our team has done a survey of the village and the village has the potential to change itself”.
“We have decided to make villagers self-reliant as per the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While talking to them, we found villagers showing willingness to buy cattle but due to lack of money they could not do so”, he stated.
“We are giving them group loans and we have disbursed Rs 2.5 crore. The repayment period of loans is one year”, said Neelkant to this correspondent on the phone.
He further said, “We have asked the villagers to do washing, grading and packaging of grapes in their village instead of working for others. We asked them to buy grapes from them and do the rest of the work at their village and sell them on their brand. Our society will help them in all this”, Neelkant underlined.
Scores of activities can be undertaken to improve the conditions of villagers, he concluded.
During his visit to Karnataka, RBI Central Board Director Satish Marathe also praised the efforts of the society and shared it through Facebook. He wrote, “Today morning visited Chennahalli – a tribal village near Bangalore Intl Airport – along with Sridharji, Chairman of Gyanshale CoOp Soc. Had discussion with Chandrapapji, Director of Gyanashale CoOp Soc which is engaged in extending micro finance to the tribal community.
These Co-ops are making a positive impact on enhancing the earnings of the tribal villagers. As a consequence, migration has reduced to a large extent to major urban centres”, he added.
The society has a business turnover of Rs 175 crore. The society has more than 4,000 shareholders.