Emphasizing the critical role of cooperative in the nation’s economy, Sahakara Dharma Peetam committed to spreading cooperative principles and norms among the general public began the “Sahakar Dharm Bharath Yathra”, from 23-12-2020, says a statement issued by the organization.
Headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, the Sahakar Dharm Bharath Yathra” had been flagged off by the Chairman of Telangana State Cooperative Union Ch. Devender Reddy in the presence of several cooperative leaders. It is being led by Sambharapu Bhoomaiah, who calls himself a Sevak of the Sahakara Dharma Peetam.
In its Yatra the peetam touched five Centers across the nation to cover all the States and Union Territories and it ended on 18th March at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi where its leaders held a press conference.
The peetam argues cooperative is the only system that has the potential to carry out the ideals enshrined in the country’s constitution, something both private and public sectors have failed to accomplish. Cooperative not only ends exploitation of man by man but also helps people become self-reliant, it says.
The Yatra, among other things, seeks to raise awareness about the need for withdrawing the Section 12(1) of the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act-2020, bringing in a new Act for the “Cooperative Development and Regulatory Authority, every state initiating the “Cooperative Deposit Guarantee Scheme” and scores of other steps essential for strengthening the cooperative movement.
The Yatra has also urged chief ministers, national political parties and regional political parties to pressure the Govt. of India to withdraw the Section 12(1) of B.R(amendment) act-2020.
Some of its other demands are– every State should bring the “Cooperative Deposit Guarantee Scheme”, introduction of the Cooperative Subject in Primary School level to University level.
Sahakara Dharma Peetam says “Let us re introduce the “Thrift Deposit ” source of own Capital and strengthen the Cooperative Banks and let every PACS/FSCS increase the I.M.B.P. (Individual Member Borrowing Power) to Rs. 5 – 10 lakhs.’
Peetma is also for promotion of the “Agriculture Produce Processing and Marketing Cooperative Society” for each Block/Mandal and tie it up with the PACS/FSCS.
The Yatra touched Bengaluru on 9th Feb; Kolkata on 18th Mumbai on 25th, Chandigarh on 5th March and finally Delhi on 18th March, 2021. It covered India by dividing it in five zones.
The organizers claimed that the Yatra has motivated 33 State Co-op Banks and 363 DCCBs, covering all the 95,995 PACS of States. “Further we submitted the Memorandum to all the Chief Ministers, National Political Parties and Regional Political Parties to impress the Govt of India to withdraw the Section 12(1) of B.R.(amendment) act-2020”, claimed Peetma leaders.
