Market. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today participated as chief guest in the state level cooperative function organized at Tarot village near Kanaid, courtesy of Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Development Association. Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Chairman Devendra Shyam was especially present on this occasion.
On this occasion, Mukesh Agnihotri said that Himachal has been the father of cooperation and it emerged as a country-wide movement only after the initiative taken from here. The current state government is taking many concrete steps to strengthen the cooperative sector and ensure maximum participation of women in it. He said the possibility of offering reservation to women in the cooperative sector is being considered and the matter will be taken up before the state cabinet through his department. He said the issue of providing land for functioning of such cooperative societies whose board of directors consists of all members of Himachali will also be placed before the State Cabinet.
Deputy Chief Minister HP Chair the state level cooperative function of the State Cooperative Development Association.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that changes are taking place in the cooperative sector through its computerization. All primary cooperative societies in the state will be computerized, which will ensure greater speed and transparency in their work. He said that approximately Rs 80 crore is being spent on this computerization work. Of this, an amount of Rs 40 crore will be spent on installing computers etc. He said that today one in four people is associated with cooperatives and in such a situation cooperatives must work with complete transparency so that people’s trust remains in them. He also directed the department to take strict action against those involved in unethical activities.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that today the capital investment of cooperative banks in Himachal Pradesh is approximately Rs 55 billion. It is also a symbol of people’s trust in these cooperative banks. The state’s largest state cooperative bank alone is worth around Rs 26,000 crore. Apart from this, other small banks including Kangra Central Cooperative Bank and Jogendra Bank are also doing a better job. He called on the lenders of the cooperative societies to change their perception and ensure timely payment of their dues, so that the cooperative sector can be further strengthened. He said the government is trying to minimize outside interference in the banking system. He directed the Jal Shakti Department that bank accounts related to the department should also be opened through cooperative banks. He asked banks to consider being more liberal in providing funds to cooperative societies. He said cooperative societies play an important role in providing cheap ration to the people through the Food Supply Corporation. He emphasized on simplifying the food distribution system so that people do not have to face inconvenience due to sporadic technical glitches.
Computerization will bring changes in cooperative sector, state government is spending Rs 80 crore
He said that the products manufactured in the cooperative sector of Himachal are in demand globally. The caps here reflect Himachality, while other products including shawls are also popular. He said institutions like Bhuttico in the weaver sector, Himcaps College in the education sector, Barmana Truck Union in the transport sector and Kamdhenu in milk production are doing better work.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that opposition parties have always played with the interests of Himachal and when the public rejected their leadership, they work day and night to defame Himachal Pradesh. He said the present state government is determined to protect the assets of the state, including Himachal Bhawan, located in Delhi.
Pension and salaries have been provided to the employees of Himachal Road Transport Corporation on time and the opposition parties should stop instigating the employees. Bills worth around Rs 9 crore have been cleared for medical reimbursement of the corporation’s employees, while around Rs 100 crore will be spent on overtime payment to drivers and conductors till March. He said that the Transport Corporation provides transport services to remote areas to around five lakh people every day and special attention is being paid to its modernization.
Regarding the opposition’s propaganda on water bills, the Deputy Chief Minister said that a fixed amount of Rs 100 has been fixed for it in rural areas. He directed the department that the amount owed should not be recovered from these consumers. Also, be sure to mention the subsidy provided by the state government on water bills.
Mukesh Agnihotri also congratulated Priyanka Gandhi on behalf of the cooperative world for her victory in the Lok Sabha elections. He also directed to establish coordination by holding a meeting with the Cooperative Societies of Registrars on other demands related to the employees’ union, HIMCOFED and the cooperative societies.
On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister also distributed collateral-free loans through the State Cooperative Bank to 61 women associated with cooperative societies under the Women Empowerment Scheme. In addition, six students were distinguished for having achieved the first three positions in the diploma course. He announced that he would provide an amount of Rs 21,000 to school girls who presented cultural programmes.
Previously, he hoisted the flag on the occasion of the Cooperative Week and also visited the stalls set up by the cooperative societies.
Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Chairman Devendra Shyam gave information about the activities of the bank. He said that the current state government has opened 22 new bank branches in the state. BRICS countries have also appreciated the government’s robust women loan scheme internationally and have ensured to include it in their policy documents. He said today the bank has deposits of about Rs 15,700 crore and a portfolio of about Rs 11,000 crore. The gross NPA of the bank has been brought to 3.80 percent, while the net NPA to one percent.
Keshav Nayak, Member of the Board of Directors of HIMCOFED and organizer of the programme, welcomed the chief guest and presented the demands related to the cooperative meetings.
Cooperative Societies of Registrars Dr. RK Pruthi shed light on the activities of the Cooperative Department. He said that the year 2025 is celebrated as the Year of International Cooperation. It is the effort of the department that cooperative societies emerge as successful business units. Cooperative Societies Employees Union state president Vijay Sharma also addressed the function.
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