NITI Aayog will be holding a Conference on “Co-operative Sector as a Catalyst for Development” on Tuesday at its headquarters in Delhi. A select group of co-operators from the fields of agro-processing, dairy and fisheries amongst others have been invited to participate.
Last month the Sahakar Bharati team led by its patron Satish Marathe had met NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar from where the idea sprung. The leaders have had a wide-ranging discussion on the future of co-operatives in the country.
Besides Marathe, Sahakar Bharati delegation comprised of Dr Uday Joshi, National General Secretary and LN Gupta, National Treasurer. Those participating in Today’s meeting include several Sahakar Bharati officials led by its patron and President Marathe and Jyotindra Mehta respectively.
The list of invitees to the conference has been broad-based to include all sectors. Besides NCUI leaders and IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi, Nandani Azad, a well-known woman cooperator has also been invited. Indian Cooperative Editor Ajay Jha also figures in the list.
Earlier to Sahakar Bharati officials meeting Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman, NCUI team led by its President Chandra Pal Singh Yadav had also met him. The meeting mooted the idea of setting up a Consultants’ committee with IIM professors as members to find out why the sector has failed to generate the impact it should have, given its ubiquitous presence in all walks of life.
Cooperators who have met Aayog Vice-Chairman say that Mr Kumar is keen on restoring co-op sector in the govt scheme of things. Talking to Indian Cooperative Satish Marathe said that the wide ranging discussion on the current scenario in the co-operative sector in India is the need of the time.
We would discuss to find the way forward for reviving and rejuvenating the cooperative sector in India, he added.