November 01, 2001

'27'

COOPERATIVES SHOULD REORIENT TO FACE COMPETITION: AJIT

   The Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Ajit singh has urged the cooperatives of the country to prepare themselves  to face competition like any other economic enterprise in  view of the rapid globalisation of the economy. While  addressing the Consultative Committee meeting of his Ministry here, Shri Ajit Singh said that there is a need to provide level playing field to the cooperatives. He said that the prime responsibility of the state is to provide a conducive environment through appropriate laws and policy framework. He expressed satisfaction at the fact that a few states have already made a beginning by enacting
liberalised parallel cooperative laws for self-reliant societies. He informed the Committee that the centre has already introduced the Multi-State Cooperative Society Bill, 2000 in Lok Sabha to replace the existing Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984, providing for more functional and financial autonomous and democratic management of cooperatives. In the light of the
recommendations of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, action is being taken to give final shape to the bill, he added. He revealed that centre has almost finalised a National Policy on Cooperatives to facilitate development of cooperatives as self-reliant and economically viable units. Shri Ajit Singh said that the government is seized of the finalisation of a rehabilitation package for revamp of the cooperative credit structure.

    Participating in the discussions, members alleged that there was a lot of interference in the functioning of cooperatives. They suggested that the cooperative boards should be made accountable for the decisions that they take. One member suggested for helping small cooperatives in the country. Other members suggested re-organisation of cooperatives in the face of globalisation. They suggested that the cooperatives should find ways for marketing of agricultural products. Members also suggested for professional management of cooperatives, introduction of trained manpower and application of Information Technology
in the cooperatives.

    Shri Ajit Singh appealed to the financial institutions to increase rural sector credit to the cooperatives. He said that the recommendations of the Kapoor Committee for strengthening of the cooperative credit structure would go a long way in their financial re-structuring.

    The members who participated in the discussions included S/Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Mahboob Zahedi, Rattan Lal Kataria, Uttamrao Dhikale, Uttamrao Patil, K.A. Sangtam, Dayabhai V. Patel, Ram Murti Singh Verma (all Lok Sabha) and S/Shri M.J. Varkey Mattathil, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Jamna Devi Barupal, V.V. Raghavan (all Rajya Sabha).