SRINAGAR, JUNE 14: Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmad Ganai today chaired separate meetings to take stock of the functioning of Cooperatives and Tribal Affairs Departments.
The meetings discussed the overall functioning of these departments and took a detailed review of performance, achievements and targets achieved by the respective Departments.
While reviewing the Cooperatives Department’s functioning, the Advisor was informed that 1002 Cooperative Societies registered under J&K Cooperative Societies Act are functional in the state.
It was also given that J&K has 9 Cooperative Banks serving the people. Secretary Cooperatives, Abdul Majeed Bhat informed the Advisor that J&K Cooperative Banks earned an operating profit of Rs 623.71 lakh for the financial year 2018-19.
He was also briefed that NPAs of all the Cooperative Banks are being reviewed. The recovery of these assets is in full swing in all the subsidiary Cooperative Banks of the State. He was apprised that the new capital infusion would further improve the financial health of these banks.
During the meeting, functioning of Cooperative Super Bazars was also discussed. The Registrar Cooperative Societies briefed the meeting that in 2018-19 these Super Bazars had a cumulative turnover of Rs 4247.21 lakh with a net profit of Rs94.76 lakh. He informed that the Super Bazars of Srinagar and Jammu are refurbished and would be computerized to bring in additional efficiency in their functioning.
On the occasion, Advisor Ganai asked the concerned to use the location and infrastructure of these Bazars to promote the products made by artisans, handloom and handicrafts craftsmen. He advised them to encourage women entrepreneurs and Self Help Groups through these Bazars. The concerned officers informed that the Anganwadi centres and government offices were directed to prefer procurement of items through Cooperative Super Bazars.
The Advisor also directed the officials to come up with a robust cooperative policy emulating the best models in the country. He also directed for organizing promotional events for bringing the working of the Department into the focus of the general public.
Other issues which were discussed include the development of commercial poultry and Dairy products through cooperatives, revival of defunct societies their strengthening and utilization of idle assets to bring new vibrancy in the functioning of the Department.
Secretary Cooperatives and Tribal Affairs, Abdul Majeed Bhat, Registrar Cooperative Societies M.M Rehman and other concerned were present in the meeting.
Later, Advisor Ganai chaired another meeting to review functioning of the Tribal Affairs Department during which performance assessment of the department was undertaken.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Tribal Affairs, Abdul Majeed Bhat, Director Tribal Affairs Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary Gujjar & Bakerwal(G&B) Board Mukhtar Ahmad and other senior officers of the Tribal Affairs Department.
The Advisor was informed that J&K has a tribal population of 1,49,3299 souls comprising of 11.9% of the total population based on 12 tribes.
For the welfare of the Tribal population government runs a number of schemes which include Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme, Pre and post-matric scholarship, tribal schools, and model villages, the meeting was told.
The Advisor was informed that 2055 and 4824 students were provided the pre and post-matric scholarship last year. Besides Rs 13.22 crore were sanctioned to G&B students studying up to class eight in DBT mode.
It was also given out that 19 G&B hostels are in the final stages of completion in different tribal areas of the State besides five Eklavya Model Residential Schools are under construction having an intake capacity of 480 students.
On the occasion, Advisor Ganai stressed on capacity building of the Department and said that all the pending works undertaken by the Department should be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
He said the Government has taken a slew of measures for the progress and welfare of the Tribal population and directed the officers to ensure the optimum use of resources and cent percent implementation of the development projects so that their benefits reach to the intended populace.
