More inclusion of SC/ST members in cooperative sector demanded

“There is no participation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the cooperative sector, and the participation of these communities should be increased,” urged Legislative Council member K. Shivakumar.

Speaking in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, he appealed to the government to extend more loans and provide greater employment opportunities to people from SC/ST, backward class and minority communities in primary agricultural cooperative societies, District Central Co-operative (DCC) banks and other cooperative banks.

“Despite the implementation of reservations in the cooperative sector, people from SC/ST communities are being denied membership. Membership is not in proportion to the population of these communities or the extent of land they own,” he said.

Therefore, he said, the membership of farmers who own land should be increased using the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) grants.

“Out of 11,357 co-operative societies in the State, ₹5,980 crore was to be disbursed to SC and ST farmers as per the reservation policy, but only ₹3,094 crore was given,” he said. He demanded that strict action be taken against those violating government rules.

Responding to this, Cooperation Minister Lakshman Savadi assured the House that steps would be taken, in accordance with the rules, to increase the membership and loan disbursement of SC/ST communities in the co-operative sector.

Meanwhile, Madhu G. Madegowda said farmers were facing difficulties due to the drought situation in the State and urged the government to waive loans availed from co-operative societies.

Mr. Savadi said he would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister.