Government to revive sick co-op societies

ERODE: The government will take steps to revive sick co-operative institutions, assured IT Minister K A Sengottayan.He distributed Rs 4.37 crore as credit to 466 persons, and prizes to students who took part in competitions conducted by co-operative department. Best co-op institutions in the district were awarded shields at district level co-op week celebration held here on Saturday. Referring to Modakurichi MLA R N Kittusamy’s comment that many co-op institutions became sick due to maladministration during the previous rule, he said that present government is effectively implementing welfare schemes, including distribution of free rice, laptops and cattle. “As co-op institutions involve in people’s day-to-day life and growth of rural economy, the CM will take steps to protect them. Distribution of so much credit in a single function itself is an indication on how far they have been activated by the present rule,” he noted.PWD Minister KV Ramalingam said of the targeted `183 crore interest free crop loan this fiscal year, `128.39 crore has been distributed so far. The project to start 200 Farmers Joint Responsibility Groups this year has taken off and 89 groups have already started functioning.Co-op societies have a deposit of `422.34 crore and they have sold `1.72 crore worth seeds so far. They distributed `13.22 crore pledge loan to ryots. There are plans to construct 54 godowns having 100 tonne capacity this fiscal. Besides, two godowns having 1,000 tonne capacity would also be constructed through Farm Producers Co-op Societies. To sort out shortage of farm labour, State has decided to start farmers service centres in 31 societies and give farm implements on rental basis.Computer aided service centres would be set up in 32 societies to help people get patta, chitta adangal and passport size photos. They can remit insurance premium or MV tax and buy railway tickets here.