Shillong, Nov 14: The 66th All India Cooperative Week kickstarted on Thursday across the country on the main theme ‘Role of Cooperatives in New India’ with an aim to generate cooperative awareness among the masses. The plan of the celebration is to highlight the successes and achievements of the cooperative movement and also chalk out the future strategies for strengthening the cooperative movement in the country.
In Meghalaya, the week-long celebration kickstarted in East Khasi Hills on the theme ‘Innovation through Rural Cooperatives’ at Anton Hall, Shillong wherein the Commissioner & Secretary, Cooperation, Dr. D Vijay Kumar was the Chief Guest. The celebration was organised by the Department of Cooperation, Government of Meghalaya, office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Meghalaya, Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd, Shillong in collaboration with all the State Level Cooperative Federations.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Kumar said that cooperatives are the major economic force of the country. He said that Cooperative Movement is strong in Meghalaya because of a cohesive community that can work together and develop a strong bond for cooperative spirit. Being a small department, Cooperation lack centrally sponsored schemes which have hindered the progress and visibility. Inspite of the challenges, the department has managed to brace itself to contribute towards nation development. Stating that the Government of India has set a goal to usher in a New India through cooperative societies by doubling the economy in 5 years, he said that we need to reinforce the existing ones and built new societies to drive the cooperative engine forward because cooperative societies has the power to realise this goal. Vijay Kumar laid emphasis on the three mechanisms that can boost the economy of the State and the country, ie, credit cooperative, marketing cooperative and tourism cooperatives. He said that the strengthening of these three sectors can tackle the employment problem we face today. These mechanisms needs to be strengthened and urged the co-operators and members of societies to help each other and promote their cooperatives to attain greater heights, he said.
As part of the celebration, the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd donated an ambulance to the New Hope De-addiction cum Counselling Centre, a project of the KJP Assembly Social Economic Life Development Association (SELDA).
Cooperative Societies of the State were also felicitated during the celebration in recognition to their achievements in promoting their products. These include Cooperative Milk Union Limited of Shillong, East Khasi Hills, Urlong Tea Integrated Village Cooperative Society Mawlyngngot, Cooperative Societies from Laitjem, Phulbari and Mookyndeng. Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd was also felicitated for being included in the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Y K Rao, General Manager, NABARD, Meghalaya and Chairman MCAB, Shri M Syiem.
