Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay, inaugurated 63rd cooperative week celebration observed here today.The theme for cooperative week celebration was, “Role of Cooperatives in Sustainable Development and Growth.”Speaking on the occasion, the Minister reiterated commitment of the government towards working for a vibrant cooperative movement by one and all. This will immensely help in ensuring a sustainable growth and development in the state, he added. He emphasized for dedicated work and exploring the means for strengthening the cooperative sector which offers good opportunities of employment generation.He expressed satisfaction over the efforts of the department in conducting elections for the cooperative societies in a free and fair manner thus restoring their democratic character. He also stressed for reaching out to the door steps of the common people through massive awareness programmes, conferences and workshops with emphasis on rural areas.
The Minister, while reiterating the objective of co-operative movement, exhorted upon all the concerned to work out innovative strategies to further streamline the working of these vital units. “There is a need to gain people’s faith in this movement which has been necessitated to protect the interests of the weaker segments of the society”, Dorjey asserted.The Minister asked the officers to enquire into the reasons and shortcomings in the way of smooth functioning of several co-operative units so that corrective measures could be initiated to revive the non-functional cooperative societies.The Minister also instructed for drawing road map for development of cooperative sector for the next six months. He assured that he has taken note of the problems raised by the participants during the programme, and assured that necessary steps shall be taken for their redressal at an appropriate level.On the occasion, Registrar Cooperative Societies, Mr. Bashir Ahmad Bhat gave resume of the activities of the department besides highlighting future plans.Chairman, J&K Cooperative Housing Cooperation, V K Mangoo, Chairman J&K Cooperative Union, Rajesh Sharma, President Cooperative School of Education and Research, Deli, Jammu, Balbir Singh Manhas, Chairman Jammu, Central Cooperative Bank, Mohinder Singh besides other functionaries.