Virbhadra Singh lauds contribution of Co-operative societies
Announces degree college for Sainj
5 Dariya News
Kullu 18-Nov-2015
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that the Co-operative societies were playing a major role in rural economy of the State and it was a matter of great contentment that Himachal Pradesh was the founder state of Co-operatives in the country as the first Co-operative society was set up at village Panjawar in Una district in 1892.He was presiding over the week long state level Co-operative week at Sainj in Banjar assembly segment of district Kullu today.With an objective to make the Co-operative societies economically viable and self sustaining the state government had completed the implementation of integrated co-operative development projects under National Co-operative Development Corporation in all districts of the State in the first phase, said the Chief Minister.“The Co-operative movement has not only transformed the socio-economic life of the community but also paved way for self-employment opportunities to the youth and weaker sections”, he said. During the formulation of first five year plan, there were only 843 Co-operatives societies in the State with membership of 25 thousand, whereas now the state had 4793 Co-operative societies with over 16 lakhs members and share capital of Rs. 272 crore and deposits of Rs 17177 crores. These societies had a working capital of Rs. 22167 crore. For revival, reforms and restructuring of handloom sector, a financial package of Ministry of Textiles was being implemented through NABARD, he added.
The Chief Minister said that due to changing economic scenario, the Co-operatives require to meet the challenges so as to compete in open markets. He said the government was stressing on diversification of activities of Co-operative societies for strengthening the economic condition, so that they were not confined to single activity could be made efficient to face new challenges.The Chief Minister said that Co-operative societies were important ingredient for the development of the weaker sections of the society. He said there were few societies which were not running on profit due to interference of few persons and directed the Director Co-operative societies to bring to the fore and provide list of the societies marred with corruption. He expressed hope that Agriculture department and Rural Development Bank will follow the suit of Co-operative bank of the state which had been listed as schedule bank by RBI.Shri Virbhadra Singh said temples and our deities were centre stage of our lives and exhorted the people to take care of the age old temples of the state and respect the deities. He cautioned those carrying palanquins of gods and goddesses on roads and cheating people by playing with the faith and belief of the people.
The Chief Minister announced Government Degree College for Sainj with a provision of Rs. five crore to be started from next academic session. The Chief Minister honoured Chairman, HP State Agriculture and Rural Development Bank, Shri hiv Lal Sharma with ‘Sehkaar Bandhu’ award. He also distributed first prize to the Dabla Krishi Sewa Co-operative society, tehsil Ghumarwin, second prize to The Amlehad Jadid Krishi Sewa Co-operative Sabha and the third prize to The Kotla Krishi Sewa cooperative Sabha Dohgi of Una district for the year 2013-14. He gave away prizes to Ms. Seema Kumari and Ms. Anju and Ms. Vandna, and Pooja Raizada from Co-operative management centres of Garli and Mashobra respectively for being ranked first and second respectively for conducting courses in diploma in cooperative management.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated newly upgraded Community Health Centre at Sainj constructed with an outlay of rupees one crore.Ayurveda and Co-operative Minister, Shri Karan Singh said he was grateful to the Chief Minister who personally visited the fire ravaged Kotla village and listened to the grievances of the people and announced immediate relief of Rs.2 crore. He also thanked for assuring to give the third fire tender for the fire station at Larji. He urged for providing relief to the as many as 606 ousted families of power projects of NHPC in the valley and to fill up the vacant posts of doctors. President, Mandi Lok Sabha Youth Congress, Shri Aditya Vikram Singh also spoke on the occasion.
President Himachal Co-operative Federation (HIMCOFED), Shri Devender Singh Thakur detailed about the cooperative activities. He also announced a day’s salary of HIMCOFED employees for the affected families of fire incident of Kotla village in Banjar constituency.Vice-President, Primary Agriculture cooperative society, Shri Surinder Kashyap, Member, BoD, HIMCOFED, Shri Shashi Sharma, Chairman Zila Parishad, Kullu, Shri Hari Chand Sharma, President BCC, Banjar, Shri Jai Bihari Lal, President BCC, Manali, Shri Bhubneshwar Gaud, Chairman, District Cooperative Federation, Shri Satya Prakash Thakur, former Chairman, District Cooperative Union, Shri Dinesh Sen, Registrar Co-operative Society, Shri Bir Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Rakesh Kanwar, SP, Shri Padam Chand were also present on the occasion amongst Co-operative societies from all over the State.