Azad for democratizing cooperative movement in J

Jammu, Nov 28 (UNI) Terming the cooperative movement as 'essence of cooperation,' Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today made a strong pitch for democratising cooperative movement in the state.

Addressig a state level cooperative conference here today, the Chief Minister stressed on holding election in the cooperative institutions.

Mr Azad praised the management of cooperatives by elected persons, saying it helps its vast growth and flourishing in every sphere. Involvement of people in the cooperative movement at each and every level is imperative for giving a fillip to the movement, he added.

The Chief Minister said the word cooperation itself speaks of pooling of resources and efforts in a democratic temperament to address the difficulties of the society.

Mr Azad said people's participation in cooperative movement is the basic ingredient of cooperation and it has to be carried forward as a mass movement.

He said attention has to be paid and strategy needs to be worked out not only to restore the past glory of cooperative movement in Jammu and Kashmir but make it compatible to the movement flourishing in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Mr Azad said, ''We have to diversify the activities of the cooperative institutions and make them modern and society-oriented.

self-reliance is the jugular vein for sustenance and viability of cooperative institutions.

He said resource generation should be ensured for every cooperative institution. Spelling out numerous benefits of cooperation, he called for bringing the entire population of the state under the ambit of cooperative movement making every household its active member.

The Chief Minister launched a website of the cooperatives on the occasion and said awareness programme requires to be launched massively to acquaint the people about the benefits of cooperation.

UNI HGV SAM BS1942