The release of a booklet on online registration of cooperative societies today marked the closing of the week-long 68th All India Cooperative Week celebrations.
The booklet is an initiative by the cooperative department aimed at improving the ease of doing business, which was released at a function held at the office of the Meghalaya Cooperative Rural Bank, Ltd.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary to the department, GHP Raju said that funds available with MECOFED and Central Bureau for Housing Cooperation should be used for the development of infrastructure like storage facilities to aid the farmers, which in turn will go a long way in securing their earnings during the off seasons.
He stressed on the importance of using the Cooperation Development Fund for conducting awareness, capacity building and computer literacy programmes for the 1500 active cooperatives societies across the state and for the creation of a social media cell to spread awareness about the department and the schemes that it offers.
Stating that most cooperative societies function are on an auto pilot mode he said government intervention is often sought after only in crisis situations such as disease, disaster etc. The role of the government is to facilitate, strengthen and provide assistance to cooperative societies in terms of providing working capital, equipment, training, field visits outside the state, he added.
Earlier messages from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah and President of NUIC, New Delhi were read out.
Co-operators representing Kasharipara SCS Ltd. and Nongtluh SCS Ltd, also shared experiences, challenges and success stories of their respective groups, serving as a learning experience and encouragement to all.
In West Garo Hills, the celebrations of the All India Cooperative Week concluded on the theme “Financial Inclusion, Digitalization and Social Media through Cooperatives,” at the Conference Hall of Tura Branch of the MCAB where a large number of cooperative societies, farmers and producers participated.
Dr. Hellicko K Marak, District Veterinary Officer urged the individual farmers and producers to form cooperative societies to strengthen their financial position for large scale production and uplifting of the economy of the region.
Speaking about the various schemes under the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Dr. Marak also urged the cooperative societies to avail the opportunities for expansion of their activities.
Assistant Dairy Development Officer, Wilda Ch Marak highlighted the success story of Amul company in dairy production and stressed on the need to move ahead with a vision for a better future and urged the cooperative societies, farmers and producers grab the opportunities being provided by the government through various schemes.
President of Dileng Do.mika Cooperative Society of Darechikgre village under Rongram C&RD Block, shared the success story of his society and informed that the cattle farming by the society produces 50 litres of milk everyday.
