DIPR
Imphal, June 1:
Chief Minister. Biren Singh today distributed the NCDC Regional Awards for Cooperative Excellence and Merit 2021 to two cooperative societies of the State. The progamme was organised by the National Cooperative Development Cooperation (NCDC), Guwahati at the Durbar Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Imphal.
Certificate of Excellence Award, comprising of a citation and a cash award of Rs. 25,000/-, was received by Karam Awang Leikai Handloom & Handicrafts Cooperative Society, Imphal West while Khabam Maning Leikai Weavers Cooperative Society received the Certificate of Merit Awards which included a citation and a cash award of Rs. 20,000/- from the Chief Minister.
Speaking as the chief guest, N. Biren Singh stated that there is a need for sincerity and honesty on the part of the cooperative societies for development in the State as they are the ones who are working at the grassroots level. He also stated that a screening committee has been formed to identify the defunct and inactive registered societies of the State. Expressing dissatisfaction over the underutilisation of funds given by the National Cooperative Development Cooperation (NCDC), he said that lack of genuineness among the societies was the main cause.
Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, P. Vaiphei said that the State could have won more awards this year but due to a very small number of applicants, only two eligible societies were selected. He also highlighted that a cooperative society being recognised by the NCDC is a great achievement and urged all cooperative societies to come out and increase the number of awards next year.
Minister for Cooperation, Nemcha Kigpen, while delivering her speech, said that cooperative societies take a great role in the economic development of the State and expressed gratitude to NCDC for encouraging the cooperative societies of Manipur. She also appreciated the award winners and urged them to continue working hard to increase the wave of cooperative societies in the State.
Regional Director NCDC, Sabastian Joseph, Registrar for Cooperative Societies, Manipur Valentina Arambam, officials of NCDC and Cooperation Department, Govt. of Manipur also attended the function.