The Regional Workshop for stakeholder consultation for draft New National Cooperation Policy 2023 for the South Zone viz; Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep was organized on 23rd November, 2023 at Apex Bank Training Centre, Bangalore by National Cooperation Policy Secretariat, VAMNICOM, Pune in HYBRID mode.

The workshop was attended by around 210+ participants from cooperative department, Chairman, Board Members & Chief Executive Officers of State Cooperative Federations Banks, UCBs, DCCBs, Dairy Unions, training institutions & other officials and non-officials from leading cooperatives of States of South zone have participated in the workshop.

The workshop was initiated by Shri. A. C. Diwakar, Additional RCS & Director of Cooperative Audit where he welcomed and briefed all the participants about the profile of all the speakers.

Shri. Suresh Prabhu, Chairman, National Cooperation Policy Committee inaugurated the workshop and emphasized that the cooperatives have the power, potential and capability to transform societies. He shared that to usher the full potential of the cooperative sector in India, a separate Ministry for the sector was established. He further shared that the new cooperation policy document was drafted keeping in mind the structure of the entire cooperative ecosystem. He further elaborated that the recommendations of the policy on promoting vibrant cooperatives through PACs & bottom-up initiatives will bring new energy in cooperative sector to forage ahead.

Dr. Hema Yadav, Director, VAMNICOM presented highlights of policy and key recommendations on

1. Strengthening and Deepening Cooperative Movement
2. Legal Framework & Promoting Level Playing Field for Cooperatives
3. Credit Structure & Financing of Cooperatives and Collectives
4. Infrastructure and Technology Adoption
5. Governance and Networks of Sector Organizations
6. Education, Training, Research and Extension Services
7. Membership & Social Inclusion
8. Promotion of Vibrancy in the Sector and the Sector Enterprises

She shared that the draft policy recommends technology and smart governance, strengthening weaker section and engaging youth & women along with the prioritization of the implementation pathways in the policy.

The prominent committee members who participated in the workshop include Shri. Satish Marathe, Director, RBI Central Board & NCP Committee member where he spoke about Credit Structure & Financing of Cooperatives & Collectives, Dr. C. Pitchai, Professor and Chief, Gandhi gram Rural institute & NCP Committee member addressed on Education, Training & Research in Cooperatives.

Dr. Y. Dongre, Vice Chancellor, Chanakya University, Bangalore & NCP Committee member also highlighted the importance of Cooperation amongst Cooperatives. Shri. D. Krishna-CEO, NAFCUB & NCP Committee member shared the importance of national level umbrella entities for rural and urban cooperative banking sector and adequate capital support to the sector.

Mr. B. Satish, Karnataka State Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Bank also emphasized the importance of availability of credit for the farmers.

The stakeholders have appreciated the enabling provisions of new cooperation policy that has taken a holistic approach. There were few suggestions on strengthening capacity building, mainstreaming youth & women.

The workshop ended with vote of thanks.

 

 

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