'Co-operative academy to come up in Mysuru'

Take action against adulterated milk supplied in Karnataka, urges Minister

Co-operation Minister H S Mahadeva Prasad has said that the government is planning to set up co-operative academy in Mysuru for training members, representatives and officials in co-operative sector.

Speaking at the inauguration of state-level All India Cooperative Week at Raitha Sahakara Bhavana in Kushalnagar on Friday, he said that Sahakara Bhavana will come up at a cost of Rs 15 crore at Malleshwaram in Bangalore. The government will also provide helping hand to those cooperatives that have incurred loss to revive. The State government has introduced pro people programmes including zero per cent interest loan upto Rs three lakh.

A total of 38,430 cooperatives have been registered in the State. Through Apex Bank and DCC Banks, loans worth Rs 6,000 crore has been disbursed among 15 lakh farmers in 2012-13. The target for the current year is to disburse Rs 10,000 crore loan to 25 lakh farmers.

The Minister said that there are 13 milk federations in the state which procures 61 lakh litre milk.

Former minister M C Nanaiah has said that cooperative sector should be free from political influence. “Inspite of Karnataka state procuring 70 lakh litre milk, adulterated milk from neighbouring Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are supplied to the State. The State government should initiate action against adulterated milk.”

After releasing ‘sahakarigalondige samalochane,’ MLA M P Appachu Ranjan said that farmers in Kodagu district are promptly repaying the loans borrowed.

Apex Bank President G T Deve Gowda said that Yashaswini scheme should be extended to urban areas. Stringent action should be initiated against those who borrow loan from co-operative sector and then deposit it in nationalised banks.

ZP President Chodumada Shareen Subbaiah among others were present.