The Regional Workshop on New National Cooperation Policy 2023 for the North & Central Zone was organized at LINAC, Gurugram by National Cooperation Policy Secretariat, VAMNICOM, in a HYBRID mode on Tuesday, wherein participants gave their feedback.
The workshop was attended by around 60 representatives and were drawn from NABARD, KRIBHCO, dairy federations, NCUI, ICA-AP, IFFCO, MP State Cooperative Bank, FISHCOPFED, NAFCUB, RCS-Uttar Pradesh, DCCBs, UP
State Cooperative Bank, among others. Some of the committee members also joined the workshop.
Suresh Prabhu, Chairman, National Cooperation Policy Committee inaugurated the workshop and stated that several steps have been taken to strengthen the cooperative sector. He shared that the National Cooperation Policy aims to provide a framework to strengthen & deepen the cooperative movement.
Prabhu highlighted the numerous initiatives taken by the Ministry of Cooperation, Govt of India such as computerization of PACs, model bye-laws for multi service centres and convergence of schemes.
He further elaborated that the recommendations of the policy on promoting vibrant cooperatives through PACs & bottom up initiatives will bring new energy to the cooperative sector to forge ahead.
Satish Marathe, Director, Central Board, RBI & NCP Committee member said that the role of National federation is envisaged to shift from advocacy to business development for which a roadmap is required to bring about the strategic transformation in the cooperative sector.
Marathe also said that the training facilities are to be enhanced with standardized norms so that they reach the grassroots level. As the sector evolves, there will be emergence of new partners and development of networks, he opined.
Prakash Naiknavare, MD, National Sugar Cooperative Federation and NCP Committee member highlighted the need to strengthen the cooperative structure to achieve prosperity through cooperatives. He also informed that the initiatives of the Ministry of Cooperation are strengthening PACs, infusing technology and convergence of schemes for the benefit of cooperative societies. The sectoral strengthening of sugar cooperatives has been an encouraging move, he stated.
Dr Hema Yadav, Director, VAMNICOM presented highlights of the policy and key recommendations including Strengthening and Deepening the Cooperative Movement,
The recommendations include Legal Framework & Promoting Level Playing Field for Cooperatives, Credit Structure & Financing of Cooperatives and Collectives, Infrastructure and Technology Adoption, Governance and Networks of Sector Organizations, Education, Training, Research and Extension Services, Membership & Social Inclusion and Promotion of Vibrancy in the Sector and the Sector Enterprises.
Hema shared that the draft policy recommends technology and smart governance, strengthening the weaker sections of society and engaging youth & women along with the prioritization of the implementation pathways in the policy.
Moreover, the National Cooperation Policy recommends the weaker sections of society to be effectively represented in all sectors and encourages youth & women to form cooperatives and participate in governance. The workshop ended with a vote of thanks.
