NCDC's 11th Plan spending to be over Rs 19,000 cr for development

New Delhi, June 7 (UNI) The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has chalked out a programme of Rs 19,640 crore for various cooperative development scheme in the country during 11th Plan period.

Presiding over the 64th Meeting of the General Council of NCDC here today, Mr Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said that an outlay of Rs 2,000 crore has been approved for the programme activities for the current financial year.

Mr Pawar said that NCDC would continue to support and supplement the efforts of the State government for the development of cooperative activities in agriculture and allied sectors.

The major thrust would be on marketing and distribution of inputs, consolidation of existing processing facilities by way of modernisation, expansion, rehabilitation of sick and dormant units, development of weaker section activities like fisheries, dairy, handlooms, area development programme on integrated basis, creation of adequate infrastructural facilities like cold storages, storages, development of horticulture, improving production and productivity of plantation crops and agriculture credit, he added.

The Minister said that the committee constituted by the General Council to suggest measures for rehabilitation of sick processing cooperatives has since finalized its report and the Ministry of Agriculture would give due consideration to its recommendations.

Mr Pawar commended NCDC for its spectacular performance in terms of record financial sanctions of Rs 6,253 crore and highest ever disbursals of Rs 4,009 crore during 2006-07.

UNI