Imphal, March 20: Making a clarion call to the rural folks and members of Self Help Groups, Govindas Konthoujam, Minister PHED, YAS and Tourism said that for socio-economic upliftment of the rural folks Cooperatives needs to be start from the grass root level.

Speaking as chief guest at the one day block level seminar on economic empowerment of underprivileged through cooperative, problems and prospects organised by National Cooperative Union of India, Cooperative Education Field Project, Bishnupur under the sponsorship of NCUI, New Delhi held at Keinou Thongkha Community Hall, Oinam, Bishnupur, the Minister said that it is time to retrospect on the ways and means to avail loans from banks and timely repayment of loan as it require hard work, sincerity, work culture from all members concerned.

He also urged all the delegates present on the occasion to work with zeal, sincerity, new ideas for reviving the cooperative in the State.

He lamented that Business Development Planning (BDP) which is the need of the hour for the farmers at the village level has not been implemented by the State Government.

The Minister also said that a seminar like this will herald a new beginning for the underprivileged rural folks and guiding light for them in their day-to-day activities.

In the inaugural function, L Radhakishore Singh, MLA, Y Shantibala Devi, Board of Director, Manipur State Cooperative Union and Kh Borkeshor Singh, chairman NCUI Project Coordination Committee graced the function as president, guests of honour respectively.

In his presidential speech, L Radhakishore said that schemes sanction by the Central Government meant for the underprivileged section of the society could not reach the targeted group due to various leakage right from implementing agency to the grass root level having a adverse effect on the targeted group.

The MLA also lamented that inspite of launching numerous schemes by the Central Government for the welfare of the underprivileged, problem of unemployment of this section of the society is on the rise putting a big question mark on the implementing agencies.

He also said under SGRY scheme there is provision for providing loans to SHGs with a grant of Rs 1.2 lakh and a matching amount from the banks.

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