Imphal, November 14: Disagreeing with the concept that hosting of workshops and seminars would rekindle cooperative movement in the State, Sericulture Minister L Jayantakumar opined that only through concerted effort and inculcating sense of joint work culture among the masses would be able to sustain and promote cooperative ethos.

L Jayantakumar, who also holds the portfolios of Education and Transport, shared his opinion while delivering his inaugural speech as the chief guest of the '54th All Indian Cooperative Week Celebration 2007' at Kuki Inn today.

Conceding that co-operative movement in Manipur had been far from encouraging for the past many years, the Minister cited absence of participatory spirit of the people as well as authorities of relevant department as one of many factors hampering the vital component of socio-economic development.

Reminding that half the battle on cooperative movement could be assumed as successful when there is purposeful tapping and utilisation of human resource, Jayantakumar nevertheless highlighted that maximum involvement of all concerned is a necessity for success of cooperative movement as such process requires infrastructure, labour and capital on a wide scale.

Apart from mass participation, opening up avenues for sharing innovative ideas and the very sense of oneness would automatically make the task much lighter, suggested the Minister.

Referring to limited access to Government jobs and presence of large population of educated unemployed, he stressed on strengthening the cooperative movement to tide over the chronic problem of unemployment and pointed to benefits being reaped by the working class people since implementation of the Japan Govt-sponsored sericulture projects as a classic example of educated youths able to cope with constricted job avenues.

Informing that first phase of the sericulture projects would cease in March 2008, he also confided that for the second phase fresh project report of Rs 3 crore had been prepared and forwarded for approval to the Central Silk Board.

The chief guest also released a special monthly journal titled 'Manipur Cooperative' published by the manipur State Co-operation Union.

Additional Registrar (Cooperative) N Jugeshor presided over the function while president of mSCU Kh Borkishore and Chief Executive Officer B Kulachandra graced the occasion as the guests of honour.

The Cooperative Week being celebrated on the theme 'Popularising cooperative model for inclusive growth' will also be held at different places till November 20.

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