Daijiworld Media Network - Kundara
Kundara (Kollam), Sep 26: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asked Kerala Cooperation Minister M Liju to visit New Delhi and work with the Centre on a comprehensive plan to strengthen the cooperative sector in the state, while emphasising the potential of women-led cooperatives to drive rural economic empowerment.
Addressing a large gathering of women associated with cooperatives at Kundara, Shah said Kerala had a strong foundation in the cooperative movement and urged the state to tap its potential in sectors including agriculture and fisheries.
“I don’t know how to speak Malayalam, but I give all of you my respects,” Shah said at the outset while welcoming those attending the programme.
He said the demand for a separate Ministry of Cooperation had existed since Independence and became a reality under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shah said Kerala, with its long cooperative tradition, was well placed to benefit from various initiatives of the Centre.
According to Shah, more than 23,000 cooperative units were functioning in Kerala. He urged the state government to work with the Centre to expand their activities.
“I am requesting the State Cooperation Minister to come to Delhi and work out plans to strengthen the cooperative sector,” he said.
Shah also highlighted the role of the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and NAFED in promoting women entrepreneurs.
He said NCCF was expanding its retail network and that Vanitha She Marts would provide women with a direct avenue to market their products.
He said products could be sourced directly from farmers, while cooperative institutions could help establish stronger market linkages.
Referring to various Central programmes, Shah said Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice were available in Kerala. He also spoke about initiatives under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme to provide pulse seeds to women.
The Union minister also distributed scholarships to children during the programme.
Shah said the cooperative movement could become an important instrument for women's economic empowerment, particularly in rural areas. He cited the participation of women in NAFED and NCCF-related activities as an indication of the opportunities available in the sector.
He also referred to measures taken by the Modi government for women, including the opening of bank accounts, extension of maternity leave to 26 weeks and changes concerning Muslim women and Haj.
Turning to Kerala's coastline, Shah said the state had significant potential in the fisheries sector and that the emerging blue economy could provide another avenue for expanding cooperatives.
He asked the state Cooperation Minister to discuss the possibilities during his proposed visit to Delhi, particularly the scope for bringing the fisheries sector further into the cooperative framework.
Shah also said the Centre was ready to assist states in developing protocols for organic farming and related initiatives.
The Home Minister arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday afternoon and travelled by helicopter to Kollam for the Kundara programme, which was his first public engagement during the visit.
The programme, titled 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi', was aimed at strengthening women's participation in the cooperative sector.
Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi, State Cooperation and Excise Minister Shiju, Tourism and Culture Minister P.C. Vishnunath, state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Kollam Lok Sabha member N.K. Premachandran attended the function.