The National Co-operative Union of India (NCUI) is running series of regional conferences in a bid to strengthen the movement and listen to the full range of co-op voices.
The most recent event, for the north, was held on 12 August in Chandigarh, joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. It saw a number of the region’s key co-operators in attendance.
The programme of zonal conferences began last October, with an event covering the east of India, in Gangtok. Recommendations from the inaugural event included: no government interference in the functioning of co-ops; tax exemption for co-ops; a training policy for co-operatives by all the states; and increased participation for women.
The south and west zone co-operative conferences will take place in Bangalore and Goa, respectively.
NCUI said the northern conference was attended by registrars, chairs and managing directors of state-level co-operatives.
“We try to drive home the point in such meetings that the downtrodden could be best uplifted through strengthening the co-operative movement,” said NCUI president Chandra Pal Singh.
Citing the role of cooperatives in various fields from agriculture and finance to housing, he urged all co-operators to strengthen the movement.
NCUI vice-president Bijender Singh also addressed the gathering.
The major recommendations of the zonal conferences will compiled and presented before the national cooperative congress in February 2018.
