Jammu, Nov 14: Government would shortly constitute a committee to formulate a comprehensive Cooperative Policy in tune with the Central Cooperative Policy to rejuvenate the co-operative movement in the state.
 This was announced by the Minister for Co-operatives, Dr. Manohar Lal after inaugurating 56th All India Co-operative Week here today.
 The Minister said that co-operative movement has played a vital role during the pre and post independence era in making the rural economically self-reliant all across the country including J&K.
 He said there was an urgent need to revive the co-operative movement which has received a setback due to long period of turmoil in the State.
 The membership of the Cooperative Societies has decreased enormously and there is a need to incorporate fresh members, Dr. Manohar said and added that to increase the membership, it is imperative that the Co-operative Societies transform themselves into financially sound units.
 Dr. Manohar enjoined upon the Co-operative Societies to be economically self-reliant and assured every help from the Government for this purpose. He said central assistance would also be sought for reviving cooperative movement in the state.
 He exhorted upon the officers for extending liberal and hassle free loan facilities to the people covered under Co-operative sector. He also clarified that no unit will be closed but instead possibilities would be explored for its survival.
 Secretary, Co-operatives, Yadullah dwelt at length over the co-operative movement in the State and called for reviewing the overall functioning of the Cooperative sector and steps needed to make the movement vibrant. He said the week has a great significance as it is being celebrated along with the birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru who had attached great significance to Co-operative Movement.
 Registrar, Cooperative, G. N. Sofi also spoke on the occasion.
 Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, Jammu Central Co-operative Bank, Mohinder Singh briefed about the achievements of the bank. He said that the main objectives of the cooperative movement was to increase productivity, arrange loans for agriculture inputs and to create marketing facilities for the farming community. He said total deposits of the bank at present were to the tune of Rs 803 crore against advances of Rs. 294.33 crore.
 During the current year, the bank has issued loans to the tune of over Rs.7 crore in the farm sector and over Rs. 50 crore in non-farm sector. The bank has also issued 21089 Kissan Credit Cards for Rs.21.86 crore. 
 Present on the occasion included Chairman, Citizen Co-operative Bank, Vice Chairman, JCC Bank, Board of Directors besides officers, staff and large number of progressive farmers.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST