Cooperative movement to help poor and farmers: Chouhan

Bhopal, Nov 19 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said cooperative movement will not be allowed to become medium for fulfilling ''self-interest'' of political leaders.

Addressing state-level prize distribution programme as a part of the 53rd Akhil Bharatiya Sahkari Week, he said that cooperative institutes would be used for service of poor people, farmers and needy people.

''Economic progress could not be achieved without strengthening the cooperative movement,'' Mr Chouhan said.

The Chief Minister said no parliamentarian or legislator will be appointed chairman or vice-chairman of the cooperative institute, adding that similarly, no one will continue at the post of chairman and vice-chairman for more than 11 years.

From now onwards, board of director would be held responsible for any irregularity in cooperative institutes and not the chairman.

Mr Chouhan said the Madhya Pradesh Government had accepted the Vadiyanathan Committee's recommendations in order to infuse new life into the cooperative movement.

This would bring Rs 2,565 crore for cooperative movement in the state, he noted.

Mr Chouhan said certain cooperative institutes that were operating in loss from a long time had earned a profit this year.

The state cooperative bank earned a profit of Rs 58 crore this year, while Sagar district cooperative bank received an assistance of Rs 20 crore.

He said all cooperative banks would be given all possible assistance to stand on their feet.

The Chief Minister felicitated V J Dharmadhikari and Mr P D Mishra for excellent work in cooperative sector besides collectors and office-bearers of cooperative institutes for collection of cooperative loan.

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