In a time when the cooperative has become a whipping horse both for government and media which miss no chance to condemn it there are some examples which restore confidence in the viability of this model. ULCCS is one of them.
In a rare recognition for a co-operative venture in the country, the UN is making a documentary on a Kerala-based civil works contract society, which has soared to heights from humble beginnings to build a Rs 210-crore cyber park.
The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd (ULCCS) in Kozhikode district received UN’s attention after its Resident Coordinator in India, Lise Grande left impressed with its efforts in bringing about multi-dimensional upliftment of its members, by successfully employing tenets of mutual benefit, togetherness, collective authority and responsibility sharing.
ULCC has featured as one of the successful cooperatives by the Indian Cooperative earlier.
Tucked away in the southern part of the country it is exploiting cooperative concept to the hilt. Whether you are on a high way or in hi-tech park, your eyes can not miss the ubiquitous presence of this construction cooperative. ULCC indeed is a true example of successful cooperative which Indian Cooperative would like to feature in the International year of cooperative, 2012 as declared by United Nations.
Most of the Local Self Govts (Panchayat Raj Institutions) have identified ULCCS as the reliable partner for entrusting the development of roads and other facilities at the village level.
On the other end of the spectrum, ULCCS Ltd is active in National High way construction work under Ministry Of Roads Transports and Highways (MORTH) also. With these sorts of varied activities, the Society had increased its gross revenues to 76.54 crores consistently registering annual growth rate of over 30%. The Society had completed more than 3000 major projects in Kerala and about 100 projects worth more than 4000 lakhs are in various stages of completion.
Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS Ltd), started in 1925 by eminent social reformer Sri Guru Vagbadananda in a remote hamlet Uralungal, near Vatakara in Kozhikode District in Kerala, as a novel mass movement against the atrocities of the caste system prevalent in those days, had grown today as a name synonymous with quality, workmanship, precision and efficiency in Civil works especially in roads& bridges in North Kerala.
This cooperative of skilled workers, who lost their jobs due to their social fight against superstitions and partisan practices during 1920’s and 30’s, formed for solving their unemployment played a crucial role in developing infrastructure in the independent India.
By religiously following its culture of social harmony and selfless service that bonded the initial members of the union, ULCCS had grown as the biggest Labour Contract Society by providing direct employment to over 2000 workers from rural areas.