MOHALI: Punjab Co-operation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh Friday underlined the need to turn the Co-operative movement into people's movement by assigning a bigger role to primary societies in future thereby paving the way for social evolution.

He was presiding over a  first ever meeting of the members of Advisory committee of Co-operative department. It may be mentioned here that the committee comprising of eminent co-operators of the state have been constituted at the behest of the Minister for the purpose of advising the department about the needs of the farmers vis-a vis the policies and schemes of the department.

The Minister said that till date the primary societies have a limited responsibility of distribution of fertilizers and pesticides and collection of dues from the members. Keeping in view the changed scenario it becomes imperative to assign more duties to the societies to turn them into more effective welfare centres for its members. He said that  the department was contemplating to start ration shops in premises of the society besides setting up collection centres for electricity bills. This initiative will not only provide facilities to the members but also contribute immensely in increasing the income of society by way of commission etc., he added.

He also emphasized on the need to check prevailing corruption in the societies as alleged by the co-operators and directed the concerned authorities to chalk out a fool proof system for the transparent working of these societies. He also directed to the field officers to ensure timely   and regular inspection of the societies by maintaining an annual inspection calendar.

In response to the demand of a major section of co-operators, the Co-operation Minister directed the PADB authorities to simplyfy the loan process by providing the registration power to its Branch Managers besides translating the loan deed in Punjabi language and approving the loan in a stipulated time period of 15 day to facilitate the farmers. He also directed   all the co-operative federations to prefer their financial transactions through co-operative banks.

Capt. Kanwaljit Singh announced to start Bhai Ghannaiya Sehat Sewa Scheme from November 15, 2007 and include members of all rural and urban   co-operative societies besides employees of the co-operation department thereby increasing the number of beneficiaries from 6 lakhs to 10 lakhs. He said that under the scheme the members would have a health cover upto Rs 2 lacs and widow and divorcee daughters of the member family has also been included in this scheme.

He revealed that in future the Markfed would introduce new seeds   and fertilizers after obtaining a permission from Punjab Agriculture University and other concerned agencies.

He informed that the   Milkfed has decided to set up 100 big commercial dairy farms and Punjab Progressive Dairy Farmers Association have started supply of  Milk to the Cooperative Milk Unions. He urged the dairy farmers to strive hard to increase the Milk production in the state to get remunerative prices of their milk and contribute significantly in the development of the state.

Capt. Kanwaljit Singh directed the Puncofed to publish the issues raised by the co-operators in the meeting in coming issue of its departmental magazine and further the action taken by the concerned departments in next issue to apprise the farmers.

On the occassion eminent Co-operators namely Balwant Singh Banur, Hardev Singh Bajjechak, Tejwant Singh, Baba Jagroop Singh, Harinder Singh, Jaswant Singh former Deputy Speaker, Suba Singh Dabwala Kalan, Kashmir Singh Mavi, Balwant Singh Hoshiarpur, Col. PS Ghuman, Sarabjit Singh Gogi Sangrur, Jagjit Singh Gungrana, Hira Singh Chirrewang, Chatin Singh Samaon Ex MP, Dr. Ravinder Dewan and Randhir Singh Moga raised the issues regarding problems being faced by the farmers.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Ms Kusumjeet Sidhu Financial Commissioner Co-operation, Viswajit Khanna Registrar Co-operative Socieities, Mr. Raminder Singh Special Secretary Co-operation besides MDs of Markfed, Milkfed, Sugarfed, Housefed, Puncofed, Co-operative Banks.