the goan I network
PANAJI
With ever-increasing incidents of fly-by-operators fleecing Goans of crores of rupees, the Goa government in an attempt to turn the screws on unscrupulous business dealings, has stopped giving permissions to non-Goans seeking registration of cooperative societies in the State. The government is also contemplating imposing a ban on registration of new co-operative societies dealing only in cash-credit business.
While speaking at the inauguration of National Co-operative Development Workshop at Taleigao on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that he has issued instructions of not permitting non-Goan cooperative societies in Goa.
“The people from outside the state come to Goa and form cooperative societies. These people have looted crores of rupees from Goans. That is why I have given directions to the cooperative registrar not to register non-Goan societies in Goa,” said the Chief Minister.
“There is a need for ban on new registration of cash-credit societies. If the law permits, we will stop it, at least for next five years,” the Chief Minister said.
Making his point, Sawant said that of the 4805 societies that are registered in Goa around 2408 are housing societies and around 1344 self-help group cooperative societies.
Stating that these housing societies and self-help societies come under different categories, Sawant raised concerns over the remaining 1000 cooperative societies that are mostly dealing in only in cash-credit business, except for around 180 milk co-operative societies and other 3-4 societies. He also said that in the name of multipurpose societies some are carrying out only cash-credit business.
He appealed to the people to start cooperative societies in the sectors like agriculture, tourism, fisheries, and horticulture.
He hoped that if the co-operative sector is diversified it will generate employment to 10,000 people. Sawant also said that Goa government will soon appoint a panel of consultants to help cooperative societies to utilize around Rs 650 crores of funds which will be provided by NCDC to Goa.
He appealed to the people not to take help of other consultants other than consultants listed in the panel.
Department of Cooperation in collaboration with National cooperative Development Corporation has organised this NCDC workshop. Cooperation Minister Govind Gawade and other officials were present on the occasion.
