There is a necessity for cooperative organisations to be more active, transparent and accountable for development to reach the famers, economically weaker sections , weavers, fishermen, workers and the Scheduled Castes, who are at the lowest level, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a State-level Extended Cooperative Workshop organised by the State Cooperative Cell of the BJD here on Tuesday.
Patnaik said the cooperative movement is a medium of change in the livelihood of many people in the State. The cooperative movement has played an important role in the progress and development of Odisha. In a predominately agricultural State like Odisha, the farmers economic and development can be possible only through the cooperative sector.
These organisations should be made more transparent and corruption free. “Our State has played a prominent role in the implementation of the Baidyanathan Committee reports. Elections in the agricultural cooperatives and other major one have been completed. The elected representatives should be compassionate to the poorest people in the society. By this the cooperative movement can be successful,” added the Chief Minister.
BJD Cooperative Cell convenor Ranendra Pratap Swain, who presided over the function said by an empowered cooperative movement social justice and social security, can reach the person at the lowest strata of society. Cooperative Minister cooperative president instead of working at the direction of the secretaries should work for the interest of poor farmers. Among others, Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Minister Damodar Rout, Women and Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal also spoke.