Co-op Week: NCUI debates challenges & Reforms for Multi-State Co-ops

The National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) organized a Symposium for Multi-State Cooperative Societies on November 20, 2024, coinciding with the conclusion of the 71st All India Cooperative Week.

The event, held in a hybrid format, brought together over 40 distinguished representatives of multi-state cooperatives from across India to deliberate on pressing issues and strategies for promoting and strengthening the cooperative sector.

NCUI President Dileep Sanghani welcomed delegates and encouraged them to share the challenges they face following amendments to the MSCS Act and Rules. He assured them that their feedback would be crucial for informing the government about these issues.

Dr. Bijender Singh, Vice President of NCUI and Chairman of DSCB, underscored the importance of self-reflection to enhance cooperative governance.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, President of ICA-AP, called for nationwide training programs to boost cooperative awareness and proposed forming cooperatives specifically for youth in the service sector. Dr. Yadav expressed concern over the government’s custodianship of the Cooperative Education Fund (CEF), which has hindered training initiatives, a sentiment echoed by many delegates.

Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), delivered a thought-provoking address on the need for active membership and urged cooperatives to embrace the principle of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” to strengthen their networks.

Ram Iqbal Singh, Working Chairman of NACOF, suggested creating an accessible platform to bridge the gap between cooperatives and the government.

Dr. Sudhir Mahajan, NCUI Chief Executive, highlighted the evolution of the cooperative movement, focusing on recent amendments in Cooperative Acts and Rules. Mahajan also shed light on government initiatives, such as the formulation of a new cooperation policy, the establishment of three national-level cooperative societies, and key amendments to the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, including the appointment of a Cooperative Information Officer and the creation of a Cooperative Ombudsman for dispute resolution.

Other sector-specific recommendations were presented by Binod Anand, Founder Executive-President of the World Cooperation Economic Forum; SS Mahhor, MD of FISHCOPFED; Sunita Paraskar, Deputy Chief General Manager of Saraswat Cooperative Bank; Chander Prakash, Secretary of Ruhela Tank Cooperative Credit Society; OP Sharma, Chairman of Panipat Urban Cooperative Bank; Pawan Puri from NAFED; VK Chauhan, MD of the National Labour Cooperative Federation of India; and Binod Ashish, Chairman of Atulym Multi-State Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Savitri Singh, Deputy Chief Executive of NCUI, marking the end of a fruitful and collaborative deliberation.