With a little time remaining for the International Cooperative Congress, NCUI is leaving no stone unturned in preparation for the event scheduled on 25th-26th June.
In an exclusive tete-a-tete with the Indiancooperative.com’s Abhisekh Sharma, Mr. Chandra Pal Singh, the President of NCUI spoke on the challenges facing the cooperative sector;
Excerpts :
Indian Cooperative : How many people are expected to attend this Congress ?
Chandra Pal : We are expecting around 2000 delegates from all over the country and abroad. If you look at the enthusiasm of the federations, this number might increase. More than a thousand delegates have already registered. Guests from ICA, including Ms. Dam Pauline and Li Chunsheng have confirmed their participation.
Indian Cooperative : What is the main motive behind this event?
Chandra Pal : If you see the present situation of cooperatives, you’ll know about the challenges they face. This indeed is the main idea behind the Congress. We will have technical sessions that will feature experts for proper discussions over various issues. Suggestions from delegates will be welcomed. The sessions will also discuss strategies for the growth of cooperatives as autonomous and competitive enterprises.
Indian Cooperative : What are the challenges that cooperatives face and what according to you is the biggest amongst them?
Chandra Pal: Well, challenges are more than people may think. Perhaps the biggest challenge is the competition that cooperatives face in the current market economy. We are fully confident of our capabilities and have to show our strength in competing with the MNCs in the modern market economy.
Indian Cooperative : To what extent have you achieved success in meeting this challenge?
Chandra Pal Cooperative societies have a strong presence in almost all areas of socio-economic activities like agricultural credit, housing, sugar, milk, tourism, fishery, spinning, fertilisers, etc. It is a significant contribution of the milk cooperatives that makes India the largest producer of milk in the world. Amul, IFFCO and KRIBHCO are the biggest success stories in the cooperative sector.
Indian Cooperative : Only two days are left for the Congress. Any message for the delegates?
Chandra Pal: We are ready with the preparation. The whole country knows about the event. Delegates from all the sectors including banks, dairy, fertilizers and others have confirmed their presence. We have also slashed the charges for the primary societies. There is a provision for free entry for the people from the countryside (rural areas) if their state federation allows them.
Indian Cooperative : Are other national Cooperative federations supporting this Congress ?
Chandra Pal : Yes of course. All the Cooperative Federations are providing us every possible support. We are also being supported by the Govt. of India.
Mr Singh is busy holding press conferences about the Cooperative Congress in different parts of the country including Bengaluru and Mumbai. A press conference is also being organized on 24th June, just a day before the Congress.