September 25th AGM of Nafed proved stormy. A day before on Friday the government had announced demolition of Nafed monopoly on procurement of agri produce. Two new players NCCF and CWC joined in the government list to weaken Nafed’s hold on agri produce.
Miffed by the government move AGM of Nafed focused on the role given out to Nccf. Leaders said that there can not be competition between cooperatives as cooperative is passing through bad patches.
They pointed to the presence Nccf chairman Birendra Singh in the meeting. Luckily even Vishal Singh, the vice chairman of Nccf was present. Leaders of Nafed said that we have nearly the entire board of Nccf present in the AGM and we would like to hear from them on the issue.
According to sources Birendra Singh was caught in a tight corner. How can he deny an offer he had lobbied hard to acquire. He has applied to the government to get the nomination and here comes a situation where in the name of cooperative solidarity he is being asked to give it up.
Saving the situation for himself he said that Nccf is not in competition with Nafed. There is no difference of opinion between Nafed board and Nccf board. But we will do business in such areas where Nafed has not traditionally been active such as north-eastern states, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.
Minimum Support Prices have been raised and there is a huge competition among farmers to produce more and more. There is scope for each and every agency,said Birendra Singh.
Later, Indian cooperative .com has came to know that a feeler was sent to NCCF Chairman to refuse government offer and quit from the race of procurement. Mr Birendra Singh is said to have strongly refused to buckle down under the pressure.
Replying to charges of consumer cooperative entering into agri produce Birendra Singh told Indian cooperative.com that even nafed, a agri cooperative was selling kit containg various items to consumers. He further asked that how can NAFED stalls are being allowed at various point in Commonwealth games even though it an agri cooperative?