| News Details |
| Dorjey reviews the functioning of Cooperatives in Leh | | 
Leh,May 02 (Scoop News)- Minister for Cooperatives J&K Chhering Dorjey after taking over as Cabinet Minister chaired his first meeting at Leh today with the Presidents and Members of the various Cooperative Societies of Leh District. The meeting was also attended by Councilors, officers and officials of Cooperative Department.
Minister Dorjey said that the sole purpose of this meeting was to look at the developments under Cooperative and to discuss on issues & redress the grievances besides interact with the stakeholders.
The issue of vegetable & fruit contract with army was the main highlight of the meeting. Phunchok Angchuk Kalon, President Marketing Cooperative Society Leh raised serious issue regarding non-fulfilment of negotiated contract committed with the Army last year, as a result, the Co-operative Society had to bear a huge loss amounting to Rs. 18 lakhs and of around Rs. 7 lakhs this financial year. To streamline the contract with army in future and to cope up with the previous loss, Kalon proposed for a revolving fund for the Cooperative Marketing Society.
Regarding setting up of a vegetable cold storage in Leh, Minister urged to look for such a technology with controlled atmosphere which would be conducive for both winter and summer in Ladakh.
A serious issue of restricting the use of old vehicles like trucks, buses and taxis as per the recently set ‘vintage of vehicles’ by the Army, also came up in the discussion. Strongly opposing the army’s decision over fixation of vintage of vehicles, the representatives of truck and taxi unions said that this decision of army would grossly affect the interest of the maximum local transporters and taxi owners as more than 70% vehicles do not qualify to the army’s recent issued terms and conditions.
Talking about the issues of Marketing Cooperative Societies about supply of vegetables to army and of Cooperative Transport Societies about the recently issued vintage vehicle act by Indian Army, Dorjey assured of full redress on his part.
With various cooperative bodies working under the registration of Cooperatives each organisation works as an independent entity said the Minster and the work of registration, election of governing bodies and timely audit of the books for transparency and supervisory works are maintained by the department itself.
Councilor Kyungyam Dorjey Motup defending the local farmers’ interests kept the proposal for increase in wheat and barley rates for which he requested the Minister Dorjey to have negotiations with FCI. Talking about the unemployed trained youths in handicrafts and handlooms, DM urged upon engaging these youths through various cooperative schemes. In this regard minister assured to conduct awareness camps and trainings to the unemployed youths of Ladakh in various potential businesses with emphasis on designing, marketing strategy, packaging and quality production.
Talking about the non-availability of a cooperative coaching centre for diploma courses in Ladakh, Minister assured that such centres can be opened up here in Leh if the need is felt. Stress can also be laid on providing micro-level loans to farmers by conducting awareness programmes through Kisan mela, said Dorjey.
The shops at the area adjacent to new bus stand earmarked for vegetable vending now under the Co-operative Department need to be developed for selling of vegetables as well as handicrafts and other agricultural produce which would prove to be an easy access to the sellers from various villages as well as the buyers, said Dorjey.
Talking about the illegal encroachment on the above mentioned land, Dorjey said that instructions are given to the Tehsildar Leh to vacate the land. In this connection Dorjey sought public cooperation and asked to help the department for the benefit of the public in return.
Talking about the important role of Bhami Duniya Cooperative Societies (BDCS) in Ladakh in keeping a check on prices of essential commodities in the market he said that this is a beneficial step in the service of a common man. Taking examples of other super markets at places like Srinagar & Jammu, Dorjey said that there are plans to up-grade these outlets by including other everyday items at discounted rates so that the villagers can shop and dine at one stop with ease before leaving for home.
The concept of opening Cooperative Banks is only meant for facilitating the people, not to look for profits, Dorjey said and adding that some more Cooperative banks in rural areas of Leh is needed and therefore he felt the need of having a representative from Ladakh in the composition of the Board of Members so as to achieve our objective. Minister said that the Agriculture Cooperative Bank which is staffed with non-locals do not serve to the purpose of this region therefore he has already issued necessary instructions for engagement of local staff who can aware the locals about the various agricultural related schemes and benefits and establish strong relation between the general public and the bank.
Earlier, Deputy Registrar Co-operative Society Leh Sonam Norboo congratulating the Minister for his induction as Cabinet Minister welcomed the house and gave a power-point presentation detailing about the achievements in different sectors of Co-operative. Later during discussions, DRC Leh while answering the issues related to Co-operative gave clarifications.
The meeting ended with the Minister Chering Dorjey expressing hope to carry out the workings of the Co-operative movement in its true sense and also assured that no stone will be left un-turned at his level in strengthening the Co-operative system and in bringing optimum benefits to the people of Ladakh through various Co-operative schemes.
After the meeting, the Minister also visited the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Plant Leh, Cooperative Marketing Society Leh, Bahami Duniya Cooperative Society Leh and J&K State Cooperative Bank Leh.
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