Chhattisgarh cooperative ministry seeks Rs 470 crore funds from Centre

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Cooperative Minister Punnulal Mohile has sought a fund of Rs 470 crore from the Centre to strengthen and develop cooperative institutions in the state.

Mohile made this demand while speaking at the national conference on 'Strengthening of Cooperative Education and Training' in New Delhi yesterday, an official statement said here today.

"Like other states, cooperative management institution was required in Chhattisgarh, for which the Centre should provide Rs 100 crore funds," an official release quoted Mohile as saying.

The Chhattisgarh Cooperative Union had been imparting training in the sector, the minister said seeking to recognise this as an unit of National Cooperative Union of India.

To strengthen the cooperatives, small scale industries should associate with it for its operation, he said, adding, "The Centre should provide a financial assistance of Rs 250 crore to associate the small-scale industries with the cooperative societies for at least five years."

He also sought an interest-free loan and grant of Rs 50 crore for reviving cooperative rice mills in the state.

In order to launch integrated development projects in eight districts - Ambikapur, Rajnandgaon, Balod, Bemetara, Dhamtari, Balodabazar, Mungeli, and Janjgir-Champa, he has demanded a sum of Rs 40 crore, the release said.