It is official. The government has resolved to revive the ailing agri-cooperative NAFED. The big news was shared by union state agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister Mohanbhai Kundariya.
Mr Kundariya was addressing a press conference in the NCUI auditorium in the wake of the cooperative Week celebrations when he broke the news.
All preparations had been made for closing down the NAFED and the file landed at Kundariya’s desk. A cooperator through and through Kundariya was shocked to know about Babus’ devious plan to shut the Nafed down.
He sought time with the Prime Minister and briefed him about the case. As the PM and the Minister –both belonged to Gujarat a state boasting the ever growing cooperative movement the latter had no difficulty convincing the PM on the imperatives of continuing with the agri-behemoth once the pride of cooperatives.
“Our PM agreed easily as he also felt that the Nafed has a big role in procuring grains and cereals from farmers from across the country”, Kundariya said in the press conference.
Elaborating on the quantum of support Kundariya said the govt has decided to give an annual grant of Rs 30 crore for a period of 5 years to the Nafed to meet its financial obligations including salaries of employees and administrative expenses.
The govt has also resolved to give procurement contracts to the Nafed so that its earnings improve, underlined Kundariya.
The govt has also offered to stand as guarantor, informed Kundariya. Earlier, the lending banks have moved Debt Recovery Tribunal for recovery of their outstanding dues of around Rs 1700 crores.
