“Nobody can ignore co-op any longer”; Shah’s clarion call from Podium

The much-touted address of Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah to more than 50 million co-operators across the globe was what was expected from a dynamic leader like him. “I promise you that henceforth nobody can do injustice to the cooperative sector”, said Shah from the podium of Indira Gandhi Stadium, which was no less than music to ears of co-operators.

The time of neglect of the co-op sector is gone and the time for according it a top priority has come, said Shah at his first address as the Union Minister in Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, where not only the captains of the sector but even its ordinary sepoys had assembled in large numbers. Five crores, eighty-six lac people, who were connected digitally, were hearing Shah across states and countries.

Elaborating on the purpose of the Ministry Shah said “I don’t have to be part of the debate if co-op is state subject or Central; for me what matters is cooperating with the state for the sake of cooperatives”, said Shah in reply to those including Sharad Pawar who have raked up the issue after Shah’s appointment as the Union Minister.

“After 75 years of independence, it was the vision of the Prime Minister who saw the potential of co-operative in improving the economy of the country and formed a separate ministry. I count myself lucky and thank the Prime Minister for appointing me to a post which is close to my heart”, said Shah who is known to have worked at the
grassroots level in Gujarat in the past.

In his captivating speech, Shah mentioned both the goals of the Ministry and his expectations from the cooperative sector and its leaders. “All of you are here and I expect you to focus on areas of neglect and work hard for five years to make the country self-sufficient in the field”, Shah said asking why can’t we get rid of the need to import quality seeds. The ministry will lend you all support, he assured.

The Co-operative today stands on a robust platform because of your efforts, now the time has come to build a multi-story on it, Shah said enumerating the role cut out for the new ministry. He chose PACS as one of the main tools through which the last man can be brought into the prosperity cycle.

The new Minister also hinted that the multi-state co-op Act would be suitably amended to make it more conducive to the growth of co-operatives. “We will have a national policy on cooperation soon”, he underlined.

While assuring co-operators of all help, Shah also asked them to ensure honesty and transparency in the co-op dealings. He talked of the National Cooperative Initiative while stressing the need to have fair co-op elections, adequate training, and overhauling the co-op system for the better.

“I am aware of the issues of step-motherly treatment to the co-op sector”, said Shah referring to Kribhco Chairman’s mention of unfavorable taxation of co-ops vis a vis Corporates. “There are issues of taxations, issues plaguing UCBs and sugar mills and many more; I am seized of the matter and can assure you that none can be partisan to the sector anymore”, Shah said underlining the Co-op Ministry’s resolve to coordinate with other ministries for the benefit of the sector.

Remembering Deen Dayal Upadhaya whose birthday fell on Saturday, Shah said his “Antodaya” finds reflection in co-op activities. On the occasion, he also recounted the success stories of various co-operatives including Amul, IFFCO, Kribhco, ULCCS, and others. He thanked Amul for empowering women and IFFCO for ushering in a green revolution. He also lauded IFFCO for its Nano urea project.

On the occasion, Shah also urged the ICA President Ariel Gaurco to help set up a Centre of “Best Practices in Co-operatives” in India. Govt of India will help you in this, he added.

Assuring co-operators of listening to even their small issues if written to him, Shah said that co-op can achieve the PM’s vision of a 5 trillion-dollar economy if we have “will power, a clear conscience, intent to do hard work and cooperative spirit”.

Many others spoke on the occasion including MoS B L Verma, Secretary Co-op Devendra Kumar Singh, ICA President Ariel Gaurco, IFFCO Chairman and MD BS Nakia, Dr. U S Awasthi, NCUI President Dileep Sanghani, Kribhco Chairman Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, GCMMF Chairman Nafcub President Jyotindra Mehta and many others.

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