NCUI President Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav called for a synergetic relationship between FPOs and co-ops to have a maximum impact on the front of doubling farmers income. Yadav was speaking on the occasion of NCUI’s AGM held at its headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday.
Almost conceding to the reality of burgeoning FPOs supported by the govt, Yadav made the last-ditch effort to put cooperatives in the same bracket. “Co-ops are age old organizations and are run according to statutory laws, the synergy between the two would go a long way in solving various problems of society”, said Chandra Pal.
This being his last AGM as the President of NCUI, Yadav touched on a host of issues. He supported the current trend among cooperatives in the international arena to do business. Yadav was also all for the idea of start-ups in cooperatives. He also sounded eager to make co-ops join the govt efforts in the export of agri products.
Speaking at the AGM which was being attended by almost all the GC members and a large number of delegates from the states, NCUI President said “one billion people are connected with agriculture in the world and co-op plays an important role here; strengthening co-op means strengthening the backbone of economy”.
“Even the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income can best be achieved through strengthening cooperatives”, he reminded. We need many more godowns and spruced up PACS to achieve this vision, among other things.
NCUI President also demanded that in each block there should be bolstered up PACS equipped with all modern facilities and should act as model agencies. The govt schemes should be implemented through them, said Yadav hinting at the vast network of co-ops spread across the nation.
”But sadly, these PACS sometimes fall prey to Income Tax department and there is a spate of cases of their harassment. We have apprised the govt of this in the past and we do so now also”, he said.
Chandra Pal also lauded NCDC’s recent initiative of creating a fund for Co-op start-ups. He also stressed on the need to have umbrella organization for urban co-op banks. “We have written letter to the govt on allowing us to contribute in the field of agri exports and we repeat our demand once again, Yadav said.
Yadav did not miss to applaud the suggestion of Punjab Cooperation Minister who mooted the idea of having a Forum for co-op ministers of states.
On this occasion, he listed the works done by NCUI and its arms in the year gone by. He said NCCE organized more than 131 workshops going beyond the target of 80 and more than 4459 cooperators were trained in different states.
Yadav also listed workshops aimed at helping the poor and the women segment of society.
Towards the close of his remarks, he mentioned the severance of NCCT from NCUI and said that it is his wish to bring it back to NCUI. ”Court cases are going on but I am in favour of having an out of court settlement”, he said sounding confident of resolving the issue before he says good bye to NCUI as its President.
Bijender Singh, Vice President of NCUI proposed a vote of thanks but not before admiring Chandra Pal- his close friend as a global cooperative leader, not restricted to India or Asia.
