Mysuru: Cooperative sector is providing direct and indirect employment to lakhs of people and provides loan facilities to lakhs of farmers. The co-operative sector is leading in all sectors. Co-operative societies are successful only if there is cooperation, said Co-operative Minister S. T. Somashekar.
Addressing the gathering at the valedictory function of the 69th All India Co-operative week here on Monday November 21, Minister Somashekar said that the Co-operative Department is working diligently and preparing many projects.
He said the department planned to disburse Rs. 24,000 Crore loans to 33 lakh farmers especially including 3 lakh new farmers this year. He said that when B. S Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister earlier, Rs. 5700 Crore was given for the loan waiver of farmers. The money was released. Some fund release for loan waiver is pending and funds will be released by December. 21 DCC banks are running under profit. Primary agricultural cooperative societies are playing an important role in providing credit facilities to farmers, he said.
He said when S. M. Krishna was the Chief Minister, H. Vishwanath the Cooperation Minister had implemented the Yashaswini Yojana. But some people were clamouring to remove Yashavini Yojana. When Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister, there was a request not to cancel Yashasvini Scheme. But the then Health Minister cancelled against the wish of the people, he noted.
“After bringing this to the attention of the Chief Minister, he announced the scheme in the budget. He said Chief Minister introduced the establishment of Nandini Ksheera Samriddhi Bank. RBI has not given permission to Urban Cooperative Bank,” he said.
He said there is a meeting on November 25. If we get approval there, the bank will start soon. Through this, the milk producers will get a credit facility. Youth should come forward in the field of cooperation. The increase in milk price has been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, he said.
He said that he will hold a meeting with KMF and take a decision.
