The National Cooperative Union of India is organizing 16th Vaikunthbhai Mehta Memorial Lecture today in NCUI Auditorium in New Delhi.
Shri Vaikunthbhai Mehta was the doyen of the Indian Cooperative Movement who assiduously advocated the cooperative ideology throughout his life.
In recognition of his services, NCUI has instituted Vaikunth Bhai Mehta Memorial Lecture which is held every year since its institution.
This year Dr. Prakash Bakshi, Chairman, NABARD is delivering memorial lecture on “Issues and Challenges before Indian Cooperative Movement”.
NCUI is the apex organisation of the Indian Cooperative Movement and Cooperative is an important means of reaching areas uncharted by other wings of government.
Cooperatives today cover hundred percent of Indian villages and there are 5.28 lakhs cooperatives with a membership of 230 million.
Cooperative banks are contributing 19% of total agricultural credit. The cooperatives have 37% share in total fertiliser consumption and have 46% share in sugar production. Dairy cooperatives have excelled in their areas of operations too.