‘Cooperatives are the right choice for socio-economic development’

DIPR
Imphal, Nov. 20: “Cooperatives are the right choice for self-employment, income generation for all walks of life to develop their socio-economic development,” stated Cooperation and Social Welfare Minister Smt. Nemcha Kipgen. This was expressed while delivering a Chief Guest speech during the celebration of the 7th Day of the 64thAll India Cooperative Week Celebration 2017 held today in the premises of the Institute of Cooperative Management, Cooperative Complex, Lamphelpat. It is organised by ICM, Imphal in collaboration with the Manipur State Cooperative Union.
Stressing on the topic “Cooperatives as Key Partner for Skill Development,” Minister Nemcha Kipgen felt that the topic is very appropriate to be addressed in this current scenario. She proclaimed that skills should serve as an integral part of employment and economic growth. She draws the attention of all concerned to identify the skill needed by various cooperatives for improving the quality of services and products. She highlighted that the facilities under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and other flagship skill development programmes being implemented by the Government of India and State Government and other counterparts should be explored and used by the cooperatives.
She further continued cooperative way of working hand in hand has been in existence in our state both in hill and plain areas since time immemorial. Till date, 9148 cooperative societies are registered with the total membership of 7,26,671 members in our State. These societies include different sectors such as agriculture, dairy, fisheries, livestock, urban and rural credit, housing, consumers, transport, labour, handloom & handicrafts, fruit processing, etc.
Cooperation Minister Nemcha felt that the functioning of such societies should be improved so as to enable to improve the economic and social status of the members. These societies need a skilled workforce for increasing their performance. The members and employees should acquire the required skills in their respective fields to contribute towards making cooperatives or successful movement, she added. She also believed that the cooperative movement in the state can serve the majority of the population with strong leadership, professionalism and skill development. As a part of this occasion, various meritorious awards were also distributed.
MLA, 43, Phungyar AC K. Leishiyo, Principal Secretary (Cooperation), J.C. Ramthanga, Principal Scientist CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology, Imphal, Dr. H. Birkumar Singh, Director, ICM, Imphal, Dr. N. Ranjana Devi graced the function as President and Guests of Honour respectively. The function was also attended by officials and staff of the Cooperative Department, Manipur State Cooperative Union, ICM, trainees and students of various programmes of ICM and Centre for Cooperative Education