Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the cooperative sector should play a more proactive role in the development of the State. It can serve as an effective tool in rebuilding of the State, he said.
Chouhan was speaking at a public reception in his honour organized by apex cooperative societies here today.
At the function, the Chief Minister was felicitated for providing loans to farmers at zero per cent interest and efforts to make agriculture profitable. Cooperatives Minister Gaurishankar Bisen, MP Narendra Singh Tomar and Apex Bank chairman Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat were also present on the occasion.
Chouhan said the world could not survive without the spirit of cooperation. Besides, everyone should get equal opportunity for progress. The State can be developed in real terms only by bringing about improvement in common people's living standards.
Development is meaningless unless its benefits reach farmers' fields and poor persons' shanties, he said.
It is our prime duty and responsibility to empower the poor, he said.
Chouhan said that loans provided to farmers at zero per cent interest and arrangement of seeds and fertilisers were also ensured in the State. From June 1, poor people would be provided wheat at the rate of Re 1 per kg and rice at Rs 2 per kg. He said that cooperative societies should implement this scheme effectively. Benefit of 24X7 power supply would be ensured only if a network of small and cottage industries is laid in villages. For this, Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana has been implemented.
He said that cooperative banks should come forward in the implementation of Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana and Craftspersons Self-employment Scheme.
The State is a pioneer in core banking. Dairy federations should expand their area and supply Sanchi Milk to the entire country. He said that laghu Vanopaj Sangh had also done well by declaring support price for minor forest produce.
At the function, Bisen said it had been decided to allot land free of cost for cooperation in development. He said that common people's interests in cooperative sector should be safeguarded. Villages, poor people and farmers are among priorities of the State Government. Deficiencies can be overcome through the cooperative movement, he said.
Shekhawat said that Reserve Bank had given licences to all 38 District Cooperative Banks in the State. loans of Rs 12,000 crore have been distributed among farmers at zero per cent interest. The State is the first in the country where core banking work has been completed in cooperative banks. MARKFED chairman Shri Ramakant Bhargava delivered the welcome address. NABARD Chief General Manager Rajendra Singh also spoke on the occasion.
At the programme, letter of citation, shawl, coconut and symbolic plough were presented to the Chief Minister. He gave away prizes to various District Cooperative Banks for outstanding work.