Rs 13,500 crore revival package for rural cooperatives

Mysore, July 26 (UNI) To give a boost to the rural credit cooperative sector, the Centre has formulated a revival package of Rs 13,500 crore, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.

Delivering the valedictory address at the centenary celebrations of the cooperative movement in Karnataka, Mr Pawar said the state governments should lend a supporting hand to strengthen the rural credit cooperative institutions.

He said though over 18 states and one Union Territory had come forward to offer help in the implementation of the revival package, surprisingly Karnataka was still silent on the issue.

Karnataka was yet to approve the Centre's proposal on the matter, he said and asked Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who was also present, to look into the matter at the earliest.

Mr Pawar also paid rich tributes to Mr S S Gowda and B S Chandrashekhar who had contributed their might in taking active part in cooperative movement.

As many as 15 people, who had contributed for strengthening the cooperative movement in the state, were conferred with 'Sahakara Ratna' awards by the Chief Minister.

UNI