Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah tells co-op dept to work for farmer's welfare

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday that co-operative societies are crucial in providing required facilities to the rural population.

Inaugurating the Sahakara Samruddhi Soudha, the chief minister said: “The co-operative societies are functioning under the principle of ‘one for all and all for one.’ The cooperation department must work for the development of farmers. As much as 60% of the people are staying in rural places and are getting adequate facilities through the co-operation department.”

After Madhugiri MLA K N Rajanna was sacked as the co-operation minister, the portfolio has remained with Siddaramaiah.

Claiming that farmers' conditon has improved after setting up of milk co-operative societies, Siddaramaiah noted that one crore litres of milk was being produced every day. 

Recalling India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s emphasis on the co-operation sector, he said: “When Nehru was the prime minister, he had said that a school, panchayat and co-operative society are a must for its holistic development."