An important meeting between the President of National Cooperative Union of India Chandra Pal Singh Yadav and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar took place in the afternoon of Wednesday. While Pawar was assisted by the new Agriculture Secretary Bahuguna (who has replaced P K Basu) and Joint Secretary, Chandra Pal had Chief Executive Dr Dinesh on his side.
Talking to Indian Cooperative about the meeting Dr Dinesh said that it was a “meeting with a difference” in which free exchange of ideas took place. “While we presented our case and requested for continued support from the government I was happy to note that the Minister is no less seized of the matter”, said Dr Dinesh. 
On the query if the fund for field projects would be made available now Dr Dinesh said that regular interaction is important and today the ice has been broken. We can expect some concrete development in a matter of week.
Readers could recall that government has stopped aid to the NCUI for training and education programmes leading to fund-crunch at the apex cooperative organization. Several people working in various field projects across states of the country at a meager salary have not got their salaries for past many months.
According to Dr Dinesh NCUI President Chandra Pal Singh made a very strong presentation on the conditions of field officers before the Minister. He detailed the woes being felt by the field officers and their families.
Ministry has asked us to reform our working and we informed the Minister about the various steps such as new recruitment and promotions policies that have been set in motion in NCUI, Chief Executive informed Indian Cooperative.
When Indian Cooperative asked if the Minister insisted on cutting down the power of Governing Council of NCUI as a pre-condition for releasing fund, Dr Dinesh cleverly skirted the subject.
Readers could recall that government had insisted on divesting executive power from the President and GC. It had suggested that Governing Council should bother itself only with policy matter and growth of cooperative movement in the country. The NCUI’s Board had rejected it leading to stand-off between the two.
Wednesday meeting between NCUI and Ministry took place after a long time and has thrown up a beacon of hope for the survival of apex Cooperative.