Minister for Cooperative & Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay Monday said that cooperative societies must work in line with corporate governance and focus on widening the base of cooperative societies at grass root levels to take cooperative movement to higher levels in the State.He stated this today at Leh after inaugurating a 5-day training-cum-awareness programme organized by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) titled ‘Developing Cooperatives as Rural Growth Centres’ under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY).CEC Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo, Executive Councilor for Higher Education Dorjey Motup, Executive Councilor for Tourism Tsering Sandup, Registrar Cooperative Societies Peerzada-Hafizullah Shah and ADC, Leh Moses Kunzang attended the inaugural function.Besides, heads of allied Departments and staff of Cooperative Department Leh, 25 members of different leading cooperative societies of Leh are participating in the training programme.Addressing on the occasion, Dorjay appreciated trainers of NCDC for organizing this important training programme for the second time in Leh and hoped that such camps will go a long way in improving the efficacy and functioning of cooperative societies in Ladakh.Stressing on adopting the module of multinational companies with innovative ideas, he said that funds and other support will automatically follow those societies which will work seriously on the ground.
Talking about the positive role of cooperative societies in Ladakh, the Minister stressed on educating people especially SHGs about the benefits of cooperative societies which have election and auditing practices in its ambit. He also stressed on increasing the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) in Leh district which is less than 100 at present.The Minister said that under the Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP) a comprehensive DPR for both Leh and Kargil districts are at the stage of approval from NCDC which was designed keeping in mind the specific natural resources available at block levels having potential in apricot, Pashmina, seabuckthron and diary business.Underling other developments under cooperative sector, Dorjey mentioned about upcoming new Dehairing machine for Pashmina processing, 1000 metric tonne cold storage at Leh and recently established Super Bazaar at Leh which is being highly appreciated by the public.Addressing the function, CEC Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo thanked expert trainers of NCDC on behalf of the Council for organizing this training at Leh. He suggested bringing all societies in the ambit of one apex body or governing body to ensure utmost coordination among societies.
Praising the recently introduced Super Bazer in Leh, Dr. Dawa directed Cooperative Department to ensure timely stocking of all the essential commodities for next six months in view of incoming winter season.Registrar Cooperative Societies, Peerzada-Hafizullah Shah talked about the functioning of cooperative societies in the State in general and Ladakh in particular and said that Leh is having very good cooperative culture and hoped that such training will have a positive impact on the growth of societies of Leh.Earlier, briefing about the aim and objectives of the 5-day training, Ex. Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies Leh, Sonam Norboo said that this programme is being organized to aware and educate member cooperative society and staffs of Cooperative Department about the skills and management system of modern cooperative functioning and stressed upon all to imbibe the lessons learnt during the programme and adopt that experience practically for better results.