co-operative movement in Karnatak

co-operative movement in Karnatak
As told by Shri Laxman S. Sayadi,
Honible Co-operative Minister of Karnatak

What progress has been made in the Co-operative sector in you State till date?
The concept and ideology of Co-operation as an instrument of Socio-economic rejuvenation is century old in Karnataka. Karnataka is considered to be one of the few States in the country, which has made steady progress in the co-operative Movement. Karnataka has made a mark in the sectors of Agriculture Credit, Milk and Urban Banking. We have 33,394 Co-operative Societies in the State as on 31-03-2008, with a membership of 2.9 crores. The working capital of all the co-operative stands at Rs. 27,180 crores. The Share capital in the co-operative is Rs. 2,690 crore sout of which the Government's contribution is Rs. 260 crores.

The Government of Karnataka has taken some landmark decisions in the Co-operative sector. It has ar ranged the flow of Agriculture Credit to the farmers through the co-operatives at 3% interest per annum. This applies to the Weavers, Fisherman also. Government has been subsidizing Rs. 2 per litre of milk supplied by the farmers to the milk cooperative societies. During the year 2008-09 upto the end of December 2008, nearly Rs. 2493.84 crores has been disbursed to 9,68376 farmers, fisherman and weavers for the agriculture operation. Every day the farmers supply more than 33 lakh litres of milk to the cooperatives.

We have a very highly acclamed Yeshasvini Farmers Health Care Scheme for the benefit of farmers. Under this scheme, the expenditure on surgery upto Rs. 1.00 lakh in respect of a single surgery and Rs. 2.00 lakhs in case of multiple surgeries per annum fully met by the Govt., We also have a unique scheme under Self Help Groups formed by Women folk from the rural areas which has been very much beneficial to the weaker sections of the community. The groups are assisted by Credit facility at 4% interest. Progress has also been made in issuing Kissan Credit Cards for the benefit of farming community.

The State has a well structured Co-operative education, training and publicity system provided by Karnataka State Co-operative Federation by which the masses are being educated, trained in the operation of co-operative and vide publicity is being arranged about the activities of co-opeartives through journals, media etc.

We have a parallel Karnataka Souharda Sahakari Act 1997 similar to Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act 1959 under which more than 1,000 co-operatives have been registered and functioning with greater autonomy.

The House Building Co-operative Societies, Marketing and Consumer Co-operative andalso Multi Purpose Co-operative Societies have been helping the farmers and the consumers in the state.

In your view what role does the co-operative sector play in the economic development of your State?

Co-operative Movement plays a very significant role in the economic development of our state and a large number of farming community and weaker sections are getting facilities from the co-operatives. The marketing system in the co-operatives provides agricultural facilities, inputs etc. for agricultural operations. These co-operatives have helped the farming community not only in earning their livelihood but also in improving the economic activity of state. The movement has provided substantial employment opportunities in the rural and vrban areas. The banking sector and non-agricultural Credit co-operatives have been contributing immensely for the economic activity in the State.

What plans and programmes have you prepared for the development of Co-operative sector in your State?

People specially the youth and the women are being educated to involve themselves in the cooperatives for overall development of the state. The Farmer’s interest is being taken care of by sanctioning crop loan at 3% interest.

How can the co-operative movement play an important role in various sectors of the economy so far untouched?

It is being done by massive member enrollment programme in the various types of co-operative societies.

Do you think that the cooperative movement can become an ideal tool for economic development of backward, minority and tribal etc., communities?

Yes, certainly the co-operative movement can become an idea tool for economic development of backward, minority and tribal etc., We have special plans in the state to involve more number of people belonging to those communities and even helping them to the extent of enrolling themselves as members of the co-operatives by extending monitory assistance. This approach helps in achieving social justice to less privileged classes.

What programmes would you consider suitable to develop the economically deprived sections through the co-operative sector?

It is imperative that, economically deprived sections of the community are to be educated first to imbibe the sense of belonging, involvement in the co-operatives and also enlightening them with the spirit of co-operation and its practice. Then, the plans involving economic advantages are to be drawn taking into consideration the social position of the different communities of the society.

What activities have been undertaken through the ICDP (Integrated Co-operative Development Project) in your State?

The programme has been started in the backward district of Gulbarga It helps in building and improving infra-structure facilities needed in co-operative field.

Have the Vaidyanathan Committee's recommendations been implemented in your State.
Has the State benefited and in what manner? If not implemented what are the hurdles faced in the implementation?

The MOU with Government of India and NABARD has already been signed. The implementation is in progress. Necessary amendments to the Karnataka Cooperative Societies Act are being made so as to give greater autonomy to co-operative institutions.

Would you like to give a suitable message or advice to the people of your state?

Have faith in the co-operative principles and practices. There is no alternative to the co-operative system for the balanced and sustainable economic development of the State. Involve yourself in the co-operatives, save them strengthen them and use them, in the interest of the present and future generation.


from Sahakar Srijan