Stressing on broad scope of the cooperative societies in improving rural economy of the State, Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay asserted that cooperative moment in Jammu and Kashmir would certainly be revived for which coordinated efforts are being made by the government.The Minister was addressing in a mega awareness camp organized by Cooperative societies at Reasi today. In the camp, large number of people including women and farmers from various parts of the district participated.Deputy Commissioner Reasi Ravinder Kumar was present on the occasion.He said that there is need to ensure the functioning of all defunct societies besides existing one be strengthen and new be registered in the State to generate employment opportunities for the people.It was informed on the occasion that out of total 3000 registered societies, hardly 1000 are working throughout the state with very negligible progress.
While laying thrust on full-fledged functioning of such societies, the Minister said that everyone has to extend full cooperation and work with dedication and solid zeal by linking all local level business and markets with them.The Minister said tourism sector can also be uplifted with the aid of raising cooperative societies particularly in such areas where extensive tourists’ influx is available.
He said there is need to start such business establishments to create multifaceted facilities for the tourist and visitors.Earlier, the members of societies also raised some issues and problems of existing societies and sought the cooperation of the Minister in removing all such hurdles for their smooth functioning besides attracting youth towards this movement.Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ajay Nanda said that all the schemes of the state and center should be understood by the people to reap their benefits and for which everyone has to come forward without any hesitation, he said.Citing examples and successful stories of cooperative societies working in other part of the state, the Minister impressed upon the local people to register new societies specifically in hilly areas where no other option is available for purchasing house hold commodities and other belongings at genuine rates.He also asked the district administration to organize more and more such camps in other areas like Pouni, Katra, Dharmari, Arnas, Mahore, Chasana and others for wider outreach and to bring maximum people under the ambit of cooperative movement.Later, District Information Center Reasi also organized cultural programme on the occasion.Among others, Additional Registrar Cooperative Jammu Anjana Tiku, Chairman J&K Cooperative Union Rajesh Sharma, Gen Secretary Cooperative Union, G.D. Bakshi, Deputy Registrar Naresh Kumar, Chairman/Presidents and members of various cooperative societies of the district were also present in the camp.