Emphasizing the need for expansion of cooperative movement in the state, Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjey, today exhorted upon the youth to be active participants of this movement so that their energies are channelized for good of the society.“Cooperative movements should not be confined to just celebrations but these have to be expanded and utilized for the progress and prosperity of the society”, the Minister said while speaking at a function organized here today in connection with the conclusion of cooperative week celebrations. The Minister emphasized upon the officers of the Cooperative Department to create mass awareness about the cooperative movement at the grassroots level. The Minister, while elaborating on government’s initiatives in this regard, said that an effective mechanism is being evolved to equip the cooperative units with all technologically advanced tools so that people at large get benefitted. He also hinted at bringing about required amendments in the existing norms of the cooperative societies saying that soon committees will be constituted to examine the matter for necessary action. Besides, the government is also working on a plan to further enhance the skills and capacity building of the workers of the cooperative societies through a number of innovative training programmes.
Dorjey asked the officers to raise massive awareness among the people regarding the activities and programs of the cooperative department as this is the key to achieving success in effective implementation of any scheme. He stressed the need for a strong synergy among the authorities and the people as well to revitalize and strengthen the working of cooperative department. He asked the officers to identify the grey areas in the department so that those can be corrected and rectified for giving new dimension to the overall profile of this vital unit of the government.The Minister appreciated the efforts of the department for successful conduct of the cooperatives week celebrations which would prove to be of immense help in further increasing the number of beneficiaries under the ambit of schemes of the department. He said that, apart from these annual celebrations, the emphasis should be laid on observing such events on frequent basis in every nook and corner of the state.
Elaborating on the scope and potential of cooperative movement in Ladakh region, the Minister informed that numerous measures are being initiated in this regard like import of Rs 20 crore modern machine for Pashmina producers, establishment of a Rs 9 crore cold storage unit with capacity of keeping 1000metric tonne fruits and vegetables, establishment of a high-tech milk processing unit to be raised with an estimated cost of Rs. 5 crore etc.Among others Secretary Cooperatives, Hemant Kumar Sharma, Chairman J&K Central Cooperative Bank, Mohinder Singh, Chairman J&K Housing Corporation, V.K.Magoo, Chairman Cooperatives School of Education and Research, Jammu, Balbir Singh Manhas, Registrar Cooperatives, Bashir Ahmad, General Manager Superbazar Jammu, Additional Registrar, Anjana Tickoo, President J&K Cooperatives Union Jammu, Rajesh Sharma, besides other officers and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.