Co-op sector should be ready to compete with private parties

Mumbai, June 26 (UNI) Maharashtra Congress has decided to adopt a cautious approach on the co-operative sector mostly controlled by its ally NCP, reportedly getting cold feet over Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL's) plans to set up ethanol plants in the state.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar who is the NCP president had been reportedly saying that he will persuade the Reliance to move its ethanol plan out of the state. A day later, he had blamed the media for misinterpreting his statement.

When reporters asked Mr Pawar yesterday in Navi Mumbai about his stand, he shot back asking the questioner, ''are you an agent of Reliance?''.

Talking to UNI here today, MPCC spokesman Hussain Dalwai said the co-operative movement in the state had proved to be a boon to the agriculture field in the earlier years. ''But later it became victim of corrupt practices and power was monopolised'', he charged.

According to Mr Dalwai, the co-operative sector should free itself from the crutches of people as well as the government's money and rather get ready to compete with the private sector.

Sugar barons in the state, majority of who belong to the NCP are perturbed with Mukesh Ambani's plans to set up three ethanol plants worth Rs 2000 crore and offering farmers Rs 1700 per tonne for sugarcane which is much more than what the co-operatives offer. The co-operative sector offers merely Rs 1200 per tonne to the farmers for sugarcane.

Mr Dalwai said the concept of protecting sugar industries for development of the state no longer holds substance. ''Sugar industries in specific parts of the state receive government help.

We have to develop and encourage other crop pattern for overall development of the state'', he added.

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