Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh emphasises on benefits of co-operative sector

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday emphasised on the benefits of cooperative sector and said that state's successful model of paddy purchase management can be much attributed to the cooperative committee.

He was speaking on the occasion of National level Cooperative Training and Meeting here in Raipur.

"When I first became the chief minister in 2003, only six to seven metric ton of paddy used to be purchased, but today we purchase 60 to 70 lakh metric ton of paddy," Singh said, and added that 10,800 crore worth of paddy is purchased by co-operatives now.

With the influx of co-operative committees in Chhattisgarh, Singh said that the two-level structure of co-operative sector will soon emerge and help eliminate the middle-men.

"In the coming days, there will be no one in the middle and no three-level arrangement. There will only be a two-level arrangement wherein one will have more power and greater efficiency in work, along with savings of 2 to 2.5 percent interest.

The CM also announced the setting up of micro-ATMs in co-operative committees from October 2, and computerization of co-operative committees.

Addressing the agrarian crisis, Singh said that farmers in the state receive loan at zero percent interest from the government, unlike in the past when they were exploited by moneylenders.

In addition, Singh also insured the dispersal of bonus to farmers before Diwali.

"I will distribute the bonus myself in 27 districts," Singh added.

Raman Singh also took a shot at the Congress party for its criticism of government's attitude towards farmers.

"Those who did not work in the last 14-15 years, they are only shouting slogans and will continue to do so in the coming 14-15 years," Singh said.

Meanwhile, Co-operative Minister Dayaldas Baghel instructed the co-operative committees to discharge their duties carefully and help provide benefits to farmers, as cases of irregularities in farmers' loan funds have cropped up recently.