lives of a number of families in Jabalpur have been transformed through cooperative movement. Former employees of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) were facing difficulties in earning their livelihood following closure of the corporation. Meanwhile, people associated with public transport in Jabalpur thought of finding new means of livelihood.
Accordingly, Kripashankar Verma, Dev Narayan Tiwari and Shankar Dayal Sharma decided to acquire a vehicle through cooperative sector. They did not have anything for mortgaging to acquire loan from bank except their dedicated spirit.
They acquired a bus by taking loan in the year 2005 and started transport service from Jabalpur to Mandla. After starting the business, they pledged to follow principals of cooperative movement in letter and spirit. Now, the institution named as Mahakaushal Transport Cooperative limited has 98 members.
It is operating 28 buses giving jobs to 160 employees. Annual turn-over of Mahakaushal Transport is Rs. 6 crore 50 lakh. Managing Director of the cooperative society Shankar Dayal Sharma said that he wishes to raise this institution as an ideal for society.
The institution wishes to diversity its business. These new sectors include tyre re-treading plant, driving training centre, bus body making, operating petrol pump etc.
Mahakaushal Transport has started cat-card scheme to facilitate passengers. Under this, 20 percent concession in fair is given to regular passengers on the basis of yearly card.
Apart from business, Mahakaushal Transport is also discharging its social responsibilities. These mainly include free travel facility to disabled persons and extension of financial assistance for marriage of poor families’ girls.