Imphal, March 27: Sticking to the old adage 'Believe in deeds not words', Govindas Konthoujam, Minister PHED, Youth Affairs and Sports and Tourism said today that the old adage is very much relevant as to the functioning of Self Help Groups in Manipur which will directly help them in improving their socioeconomic condition.

Speaking as chief guest during the one day seminar on 'Economic growth through new generation cooperatives' organised by National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), Cooperative Education Field Project, Bishnupur under the sponsorship of NCUI, New Delhi held at Ningthoukhong Bazar, the Minister while urg ing the members of SHGs/Cooperative societies to show their commitments in deeds not words in their selective field of trade.

Stressing on the importance of SHGs in Manipuri society, he said that the numerous SHGs in the district promoted by the Project act as a small droplets of water to make Manipur a big ocean of SHG where every single SHG contribute their mite in terms of income particularly of the members and of the State in general.

He also called for revamping the cooperative movement in the State as it has been in slumber for a long time.

He also called for appropriate policy for implementing the business development planning (BDP) which the State lags far behind.

Octogenarian RK Irabot who served as president of Manipur State Cooperative Union, recipient of best corporator award, member of governing council NCUI, an ex-MLA presided the inaugural function.

Recalling his interaction with Verghese Kurien, father of Indian diary movement when he was the president of MSCU, Irabot said a lot can be learn from Kurien by the people of Manipur who single-handedly started the world largest dairy cooperative federation Amul.

Seeking for formation of corpus fund for SHGs, Kh Borkeshor Singh, chairman NCUI, Project coordination committee while speaking as guest of honour urged the SHGs to contribute Rs 100 each for formation of lifetime corpus fund.

He also indicated that a ordinance may be issued for SHGs/societies by the State Govt for streamlining its functioning where they can avail loans from the banks.

Y Shantibala, board of director MSCU and who is also district representative at the union also spoke on the occasion.

It is pertinent to mention that today's seminar is the third one in a series of seminars organised by the project.

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