Poonch: The Department of Cooperatives on Saturday organized a mega awareness programme and cooperative exhibition here at Dak Banglow, Poonch to celebrate the 70th All India Cooperative Week in spirit with this year’s theme “Role of Cooperatives in $5 Trillion Economy and SDGs” and the theme “Cooperatives for Women, Youth and Weaker Sections”.
Deputy Commissioner, Yasin M. Choudhary, presided over as the chief guest.
Deputy Registrar, Cooperatives Societies, Vishal Deep Chandan, in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the Cooperative Department in the district through a powerpoint presentation.
Deputy Registrar highlighted the profit making Multi Purpose Cooperative Societies (PACS). He also highlighted the significant role of the Cooperative Marketing Societies in the overall success of the Cooperative Department in the District. Furthermore, the membership of the primary societies/cooperatives coming from all the economic strata and corners of the district was also highlighted.
Among the recent initiatives taken by the Government, the opening of the PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra, PACS to operate Common Service Centres, Operationalization of PACS as PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, Computerization of PACS were discussed. The public was made aware about the benefits of services provided by these initiatives.
The Deputy Commissioner, in his address, appreciated the Cooperative Department for its remarkable progress in serving the people with its exemplary efforts. He further discussed the history of the Cooperative Movement and the significance of associating citizens with Cooperatives.
He further highlighted the significance of opening of PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra through PACS. These Jan Aushadhi Kendras will provide generic medicines at affordable rates to common people in the remote areas.
The progress of the department in registering Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) was also appreciated. The role of delivering digital services to remote areas of the district through Common Service Centres was also highlighted.
The Deputy Commissioner encouraged the department to further diversify the business activities of the Cooperatives. He also assured the department that suitable land for the Government of India’s project of World’s Largest Grain Storage in the Cooperative Sector would be identified and provided.
The Deputy Commissioner also distributed the registration certificates to the recently registered Cooperatives working with all women members, tribal and other weaker sections in line with the theme of the day.
The main objective of organizing the event is to create awareness among the general public about the achievements of the Cooperative Department. It also entails the role and scope of business activities through the Cooperative Societies.
The Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Poonch also discussed about the recently revived cooperative societies and the cheerful participation of the Cooperative Department in all the recent campaigns organized viz., Meri Maati Mera Desh, Digital Week, Swachhata Campaign, Back to Village- 5 programme.
On the occasion, officials from allied departments, Cooperative Institutional Employees, Members of different Societies/Cooperatives, DCCB were also present.
Eminent speakers from Management Committees of different Cooperatives also threw light on the role of associating with the Cooperative Movement. Future strategies were also deliberated upon to benefit citizens who have not hitherto availed the benefits of the movement.
DC Poonch along with other officials also inspected the stalls exhibited on the occasion.
