Welcoming Shah: Core Committee formed; meeting on Monday

The apex co-op body NCUI has constituted a Core Committee of top co-operators for holding the mega co-op conference in which the newly appointed Union Cooperation Amit Shah is slated to be the Chief Guest.

NCUI President Dileep Sanghnai, on whose initiative the conference is taking place, would be the Chairman of the committee, formed to oversee the preparations for the 25th September event. The core committee has been formed in such a way as to ensure representation of various cooperative sectors, Sanghani informed Indian Cooperative.

The first meeting of the Core Committee is slated to take place at the NCUI headquarters on Monday (6th Sept). The members of the Committee include IFFCO Chairman B S Nakai, MD Dr U S Awasthi, Kribhco Chairman Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, Nafed Chairman Bijender Singh, Nafcub President Jyotindra Mehta, NAFSCOB President Ravindra Rao and Sahakar Bharati President Ramesh Vaidya.

In a letter sent to the leaders urging them to be part of the Core Committee, the NCUI wrote “As you are aware that a National Cooperative Conclave is being organized by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO) with the collaboration of National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) on 25th September, 2021 at Indraprastha Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. Hon’ble Shri Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation will be the Chief Guest and preside over the Conclave.”

“To organize the event in a befitting manner it has been decided to constitute the Core Committee of senior cooperative leaders under the Chairmanship of Shri Dileep Sanghani, President, NCUI to chalk out the main agenda and other issues of the conclave. I am pleased to inform you that the President NCUI has nominated you as one of the members of the Core Committee”, the letter, a copy of which is with the Indian Cooperative, reads.

Talking on the phone from Gandhinagar, Sanghani elaborated on how this conference would be different from the past ones so far as the participation of the weaker co-operatives are concerned. Citing the cases of weaver co-ops of Amreli and Kachchh, Sanghani said some of

their members were tearful when we invited them to Delhi for the event. “They are making shawls which would be draped not only around Amit Shah but also around all the delegates”, added Sanghani.

“This conference would have representatives from every sector of co-op business. Fisheries, dairy, weaver, sugar, urban co-op banks, co-op banks, fertilizer co-ops, you name it, we have a member from the said group”, said Sanghani with a sense of satisfaction. “It was my promise to Amitbhai that I would have everyone at his first mega introductory meeting with co-operators of the country”, added NCUI President.

Sanghani also informed that NCUI has already sent a list of 1800 participants to the Ministry. “Though the stadium has a capacity of 5000, we are arranging for about 2500 delegates, less than capacity due to Covid restrictions”, said Sanghani.

Co-operators from the village, block, district, state, and finally the national levels have been invited for the co-op conference. There is an elaborate arrangement for media persons also, Sanghani made an assurance to this reporter. We have arranged for 100 media persons, he stated.

It bears mention that while IFFCO is taking care of the logistics, NCUI is deciding whom to invite. Sanghani sounded confident that this would be a show with a difference. This will also in a way put a stamp on Sanghani’s leadership style, as like Shah he has also become the NCUI President for the first time!