Speaking on the occasion of the 19th Vaikunth Bhai Mehta Memorial Lecture organized by National Cooperative Union of India in Delhi on Monday, M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice-President of India called for forging public-private-cooperative partnership as a viable model of development.
“I propose a new model of development, different from the traditional PPP; it should be PPCP which is Public-Private-Cooperative Partnership. It is the need of the hour”, said the Vice-President amidst thunderous applause from the audience which comprised of who’s who of the cooperative sector.
Indian Cooperative has earlier featured an interview of Sahakar Bharati Patron Satish Marathe who, way back in 2016 had mooted the same idea. The story can be accessed by clicking this link
(https://www.indiancooperative.com/featured/marathe-moots-co-op-public-partnership/)
Vice-President also emphasized the factors of transparency and accountability and said they are key to success of a cooperative. NCUI organizes the Vaikunth Bhai Memorial Lecture regularly in memory of Late Vaikunth Bhai Mehta,
Other important point made by Shri Naidu was the need to include cooperative as a subject in school curriculum. “There should be a chapter on cooperatives in the school syllabus”, he clearly pointed out.
Naidu further emphasized that if the cooperative movement is strong, then it can strengthen agriculture. He laid stress on the need for forming cooperatives so that the farmers can get fair price of the produce, the best example here being that of AMUL.
He further said many DCCBs are in the red because of mismanagement, not due to any systematic failure. “Cooperation is better if operation is good”, he elaborated. He concluded that the best tribute to Late Vaikunth Bhai Mehta would be to follow the principles and values he stood for more particularly his character, commitment and conduct.
Shakhawat said among the institutions which have played important role in nation building, the role of cooperatives is very important.
Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, M.P. (Rajya Sabha) and President, NCUI speaking on the occasion said that like White Revolution, cooperatives have played important role in ushering in Green Revolution. He further said as youth are unemployed if they are associated with cooperatives they create self-employment opportunities. He also emphasized the need for increasing participation of women in cooperatives.
N.Satya Narayana, Chief Executive, NCUI earlier presented a brief profile of Late Vaikunth Bhai Mehta. Bijender Singh, Vice President, NCUI and Chairman, NCCF at the end of the programme proposed a vote of thanks.
The meeting was attended by Chairmen and MDs of national level, state level cooperative organizations, employees of cooperative organizations, representation from SEWA and Sahakar Bharti, among others.
