Let cooperative sector become medium of improving state: CM

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that cooperative sector should become partner in the mission to ensure further improvement of Madhya Pradesh. Cooperative sector can serve as an effective tool in rebuilding of Madhya Pradesh. Shri Chouhan was responding to a public reception accorded to him by apex cooperative societies here today. At the function, the Chief Minister was felicitated for providing loan to farmers at zero percent interest rate and efforts to make agriculture profitable. Cooperatives Minister Shri Gaurishankar Bisen, MP Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Apex Bank Chairman Shri Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat were also present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that world cannot survive without spirit of cooperation. Everyone’s existence in the world depends on cooperation. All should get equal opportunities for progress. Madhya Pradesh 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. It is our prime duty and responsibility to empower the poor.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that loans provided to farmers at zero percent interest rate and effective arrangements for seeds and fertilisers were also ensured in the state. From June 1, poor people will 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 will be ensured only when 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 for cooperation in implementation of Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana and Craftspersons Self-employment Scheme. State is pioneer in core banking. Dairy federations should expand their area and supply Sanchi Milk to entire country. He said that Laghu Vanopaj Sangh has also done well by declaring support price for minor forest produce.
At the function, Minister Shri Bisen said that it has been decided to allot land free of cost for cooperation in development. MP Shri Tomar 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 cooperative movement..
Apex Bank Chairman Shri Shekhawat said that Reserve Bank has given licences to all 38 District Cooperative Banks in the state. Rs. 12 thousand crore loans have been distributed to farmers on zero percent interest rate. Madhya Pradesh is the first state 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 Dr. 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 works. State Agriculture & Rural Development Bank Chairman Shri Kishan Singh Bhatol, Dairy Federation Chairman Shri Subhash Mandge, State Cooperative Housing Federation Chairman Shri Sushil Vaswani, State Cooperative Federation Chairman Shri Arun Singh Tomar, Rajya Laghu Vanopaj Sangh Chairman Shri Vishwas Sarang, State Cooperative Consumers Federation Chairman Shri Ratan Yadav, Apex Press Chairman Shri Vikas Mehra and office-bearers of state’s 4 thousand 500 cooperative societies were present on the occasion