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Co-operative elections in J&K after panchayat polls: Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said that cooperative elections would be held soon after the panchayat elections, which are slated to begin in January next year.

Speaking at the concluding function of the co-operative week in Srinagar Monday evening, the chief minister said participation of people in democratic institutions at the grass root level is imperative for prioritising development works and the successful implementation of various programmes. He hoped women would not lag behind in this effort.

Referring to the 33 per cent reservation in panchayats for women, the chief minister said if they are not elected adequately, their nomination would be made from amongst some dedicated women irrespective of party affiliations.

Abdullah announced the setting up of women co-operative banks at Srinagar and Jammu and said the issue regarding financial assistance to women entrepreneurs of the state would be taken up at the forthcoming meeting of chief executives of nationalised banks in Jammu.

Advising co-operators to diversify their activities, he said only such ventures should be taken up that have the potential to sustain competition. He offered the transfer of the bat manufacturing unit at Miran Sahib, and milk plant to the co-operative sector provided it musters strength to run these on the lines of co-operative movements in places like Andhra Pradesh and Andaman. ''There is no reason why it can't progress here,'' he added.

He regretted that some vested interests have retarded the growth of co-operative movement from time to time and urged for retrospection rather than finding excuses for failure of the concept in the state, while assuring that there would be no interference from the government in co-operatives. He said he is keen to see these institutions grow in real democratic spirit.

The chief minister called for streamlining rules and making people aware about the new co-operative act. This will help in seeking mass participation in the movement, he said.

Abdullah referred to common interest of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in boosting horticulture production and said the problems confronted to this sector could be discussed vigorously by the two states in the north zone chief ministers conference.

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