Imphal, November 14: Co-operation Minister W Leima Devi has stated that the people are today well aware of fact that co-operative movement is not just the biggest movement in the world, but a society which has not been able to get along with the current of the co-operative movement remains behind in the race for development.

So there is the need to accelerate the pace of development in co-operative movement in the State, Leima said while speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of the 53rd All India Co-operative Week at Co-operative complex, Lamphelpat here today.

The week-long observance under the theme of 'Co-operative: Key for second Green Revolution and socio-economic progress' is being organised in Manipur jointly by Co-operative development, Manipur State Co-operative Union and Institute of Co-operative Management.

Leima said the democracy is meaningless if one does not understand the significance of co-operative movement in a democratic country.

However, when more than 75 percent of the villages in India have been covered under the co-operative movement, the role of co-operative in Manipur seem to be still underestimated.

This is mainly due to lack awareness among the farmers and their tendency of not returning the loan taken, she said.

'Nonetheless, after I took charge of the Department, there has been some perceptible change and would continue to extend possible assistance for the development of co-operative movement in Manipur', Leima said.

Co-operative Commissioner cum Registrar of the State Govt H Imocha, who attended the function as guest of honour said the role of co-operative movement in development of human society is being recognised all over the world today.

The movement not only accelerating the pace of development, but also help in maintaining a peace and harmony in the society.

So in a poor and underdeveloped State like Manipur a concerted efforts should be made to reap maximum benefit from this movement, he said.

As part of the function, the Awards for Best Co-operator and Best Co-operative Society for this year were also presented.

The Best Co-operator Award was given to A Anilkumar, president of Socio-Economic Development Co-operative Society, Heingang Awang Leikai and the Best Co-operative Society Award to The Women Vegetable Growers' Society Limited, Bishnupur.

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