Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 20: Minister of State for Cooperatives, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma has called upon all the stakeholders to extend their wholehearted support to strengthen the cooperative movement in the State. This is essential to safeguard the interests of common man in view of unprecedented price rise in the essential commodities.
Speaking at the concluding function of 59th All India Cooperative Week in the office of JAKFED here today, the Minister said that efforts are being made at the global level to promote the concept of cooperative to save the consumers from the exploitation of overcharging, adding that it is necessary to strengthen this sector in Jammu and Kashmir as well. He said the Government has taken several reformative measures during the past three years to improve the functioning of cooperative establishments which has now shown the positive results on the ground.
Asking the employees to give their hundred percent to achieve targets, the Minister said that business establishments can progress only with the honesty, hard work and evolving complete professionalism as per the satisfaction of the customers.
Throwing light on the importance of the Cooperative Week, the Minister said though the celebrations have come to an end but “we all those who are associated with the movement must take a pledge to spread the message of cooperatives at the grass root level to achieve the objective of the movement”. He stressed the need for expanding the activities in the new areas so that the benefits reach to the targeted group. He called for launching the membership drive and involve maximum people in the cooperative fold. He also indicated that election process in all the cooperative institutions will be carried out in near future in a transparent manner to further improve the financial health of these organizations.
The Minister also inaugurated computerization of LPG distribution and Bio-metric attendance system in the JAKFED. With the launching of these services, the efficiency in the institution will improve.
MLA Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta He advocated for new initiatives to improve the cooperative sector. He stressed on the management to expand its activities with the supply of multiple goods to generate more revenues. He also announced Rs. 10 lakh out of his CDF for improving the LPG delivery system.
Managing Director, JAKFED Dr. Mohammad Akram Malik in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the institution.
Registrar Cooperative Sudershan Sharma and Chairman J&K Cooperative Society, Rajesh Bittoo also addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of cooperative week.