Date:18/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/18/stories/2008111858970300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Joint liability groups have proved their mettle, says Ko. Si. Mani

Staff Reporter

Photo:M.Moorthy

KEEP IT UP: Co-operation Minister Ko. Si. Mani giving away a shield to the best co-operative in Tiruchi on Monday. —

TIRUCHI: Revolving fund of Rs.10 crore has been sanctioned to the farmers’ joint liability groups (JLG) formed through cooperative banks in the State, according to Co-operation Minister Ko.Si. Mani.

Speaking at the 55-th All-India Cooperative Week celebrations here on Monday, Mr. Mani said the joint liability groups had proved their mettle in the cooperative movement. Against the target of 10,000, as many as 10,722 JLGs had been formed so far in the State and the banks had sanctioned farm loans to the tune of Rs.33.70 crore to them. In Tiruchi district alone, 442 JLGs have been formed and loans to the tune of Rs.2.08 crore sanctioned to 159 JLGs. On the rejuvenation of weak Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks (PACB), Mr. Mani said that a total of 899 PACBs in the State had been revived so far through a special loan of Rs.176 crore. It included 21 PACBs in Tiruchi district which had got a funding assistance of Rs.4.20 crore.

Explaining the achievements of the cooperative banks during the current fiscal in the State, he said loans to the tune of Rs.794 crore had been sanctioned so far benefiting about 3.37 lakh farmers, including about 83,500 new borrowers. In Tiruchi district alone, Rs. 29.25 crore had been disbursed to about 13,300 farmers. With today’s celebrations marking ‘New Perspective Day for retail sales through market and consumer cooperatives,’ Mr. Mani said that all but one of the 110 Cooperative Market Societies in the State had started earning profit. Efforts were being made to bring one society out of the red within a month. Also, all the 34 cooperative supermarkets were expected to net profit during the current fiscal. In response to a plea by Transport Minister K. N. Nehru, Mr. Mani said that efforts would be taken to conduct elections to the cooperative bodies in the State.

Forests Minister N. Selvaraj, Collector T. Soundaiah and Joint Registrar of Cooperatives Rama. Jayampandian were among those who spoke. Special Officer of Tiruchi District Central Cooperative Bank R. Brinda, presented a report. Mr. Mani gave away shields to the best cooperative banks and societies in appreciation of their achievments in various areas.

He also distributed prizes to winners in competitions held as part of the celebrations.