The cooperative sector has generated nearly 10 crore jobs in India, but the government has been ignoring it, claimed Gurunatha Janthikara, president of Karnataka State Souharda Federal Cooperative (KSSFC) in Mysore.
Addressing an interactive session on ‘Youth and Cooperation’, organized by KSSFC and the department of economics and cooperative, University of Mysore (UoM), Janthikara said, “We have failed to attract the youth towards it (the cooperative sector).”
Pointing out that there are numerous opportunities for youngsters in the sector, he said at present, around 90% people of involved in cooperative activities comprise the youth. But, he argued, a majority of the youth still finds information and biotechnology more attractive because of better pay packages.
To offset this trend, he said, “Chief executive officers in the cooperative sector earn a salary of Rs 80,000-90,000 per month at the district-level.”
Highlighting the social services that many in the cooperative sector undertake, he said many unions in the state have been running schools and hostels, and have implemented need-based programmes.