The apex body of state cooperative banks- NAFSCOB, organized its Annual General Meeting and Board Meeting in Panjim, Goa, on Friday. The event was graced by Goa State Cooperation Minister, Subhash Shirodkar, as the chief guest.
The meeting saw the participation of Chairman & MDs from state cooperative banks across the country. Among those present were ICA-AP Chairman Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, Bijendra Singh, Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna, and several others
Hosted by the Goa State Cooperative Bank (GSCB), which reported a profit in the financial year 2023 24 after recovering from financial struggles, the meeting also had the presence of Goa’s Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Arvind Bugde.
Addressing the participants, Minister Shirodkar highlighted the natural instinct of cooperation among humans, stating, “Human well-being and prosperity are not possible without cooperation”, he said.
He further emphasized that while the cooperative movement has thrived in some states, much more needs to be done to extend its reach to the masses.
Karnataka Cooperation Minister Rajanna focused on empowering farmers, who are the backbone of the economy, and stressed the need to extend cooperative benefits to make them sustainable and viable.
NAFSCOB Chairman Kondura Ravindra Rao called for mutual cooperation among stakeholders to fulfill the objectives of the cooperative movement. He also praised Ulhas Phaldesai, Chairman of GSCB, for his efforts in organizing the AGM in Goa.
ICA-AP President Dr. Yadav remarked on the significant role of the cooperative sector in strengthening the rural economy and emphasized the importance of empowering primary societies that are closely connected to the livelihoods of rural communities.