Addressing a cooperative seminar organized by United Thrift Credit Societies Federation of Delhi in collaboration with the apex body at the NCUI auditorium on Saturday, the newly appointed Union Minister of State for Cooperation BL Verma said we would strengthen primary level cooperatives and provide them with the best technology to upgrade themselves in the changing environment.
“We are also planning to give training not only to the officials and employees of PACCs but also their members, Chairman and director, with an objective to bring professional approach. With training we can achieve the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of realizing the vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ prosperity through cooperation. Besides, the Minister also assured to give any kind of support to the co-ops for their development.
The topic of the seminar was, ” Golden chapter of cooperative and future of cooperative in present scenario”. Perhaps it was the first co-operative meeting in which Verma participated after a separate ministry of cooperation was made.
NCUI President Dileepbhai Sanghani, RBI Central Board member Satish Marathe, ASSOCHAM former Director Teena Sharma, United Thrift-credit societies Federation Chairman Sunil Gupta, representatives from Delhi co-ops and others were present on the occasion.
The Minister strongly warned those whose intention is to destroy the cooperative sector by their wrong tactics. “We will take strict action against them and will not bear them at any cost. The Co-operative Movement can play an important role in nation – building and has the power to generate employment. We will work to strengthen co-ops at National as well as International levels”, Verma said.
In his speech, NCUI President Dileep Sanghani said cooperatives are working in different fields and doing praiseworthy work in taking the co-op movement to newer heights. In the past, farmers had to pay heavy interest rate for availing loans from co-op banks but now banks are giving loans upto Rs 3 lakh at zero rate of interest. This is the power of co-ops, he said proudly.
RBI Central Board Director Satish Marathe felt co-op should expand its foot-prints in those sectors where it has not ventured so far. “We see the absence of co-ops in Mutual funds as well as in the Insurance sector. Entering co-ops in the insurance sector can help their members in a big way and help them vis-a-vis PSUs and Private companies. Their premium will be low”, he asserted.
Marathe also gave many examples of several countries where co-ops are working in these fields. “Besides, we need to create a strong network of cooperative hospitals across the country which can help in health care price stabilization, ” he underlined.
The Keynote Speaker and Senior Advocate Supreme Court Gaurishankar Kumar spoke on the 97th constitutional amendment and apprised the participants of its background. ASSOCHAM former Director Teena Sharma emphasized on attracting more and more women in co-ops which can empower them as well as make them self-dependent.
