The Kunigal town co-operative society which started in 1907, is celebrating its centenary celebrations, which is now called Town Consumers’ Co-operative Association.

The association which was started on March 23, 1907, in its initial stage had 36 members at a room in Chowdeshwari road led by senior co-operative leader and freedom fighter K Lingappa, K Nanjaiah, C K Rangappa and K V Raju. Later the society had its own building built at Doddapet.

Presidents Eeshwara Shastri, Heruru Gundappa, Venkatakrishnaiah, K M Lakshmi Narasimhaiah, B Chandrashekharaiah, Narayana Shetty, K L Narasimhaiah, K V Govinda Shetty, K Lingappa, K V Raju, K Y Chikkanna, N Srinivas, B N Nagaraj have strived hard for the development of the society.

Briefing the developments of the Association, former president Chotnahalli Srinivas, said that the association was the first of its kind in the taluk at that period, when there were no nationalised banks.

There were members from Begur, Mallaghatta and Herur. The society which worked on the principles of the banks was giving loans to the farmers.

Drought period

Recollecting those days when there was a severe drought in 1952, the association had distributed ragi, maize in discount rates after purchasing it from Uttara Karnataka, he added.

The association was economically powerful in 1955 to 1970 and also had separate branches to provide loan facilities, fertilisers, ration cards, clothes and other finance related branches and till 1982, it followed the principles of Banking.

No returns

“The success of the association depends when those who have taken loans from the society will repay it at a later. Since many of the members failed to pay loans, the association became financially very weak. Except the ration distribution branch, all other branches had to be closed”, said Mr Srinivas.

As a result of this, the administrative board was dismissed and an administrative officer was appointed.

Retired teacher T N Srinivas Gowda was selected as the administrative officer in 1986, and continue to be so even today.

Unfair attitude

Mr Srinivas Gowda, said that an unfair attitude of not repaying the loans have been continuing even today, however, revenue continues to come from the rents of commercial complexes which were built by co-operative leaders at a cost of crore of rupees at Doddapet.

At the same time, Srinivas Gowda  said that, the ration distribution branch will be continued but no loans will be provided, he added.

The silver jubilee celebrations was organised in 1937.

When the association had its own building in 1947, Mr Siddaiah, the then Revenue and C-operative Minister inaugurated the programme. 

In 1957, when association was in its golden jubilee celebrations, Mysore Maharaja Late Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wodeyar Bahaddur had deposited Rs 1,000 as a token of encouragement.

However, with its centenary celebrations on December 19, the public expects whether the yesteryear's glory be back?