Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath delivered a sharp critique of previous state administrations on Sunday, accusing them of systematically destroying the cooperative sectors. Addressing a gathering of young workers and ground staff at the 'Yuva Sahakar Sammelan' in Lucknow, the CM outlined his government's efforts to revive these crucial institutions.
From 'One District, One Mafia' to Cooperative Revival
Drawing a stark contrast, CM Adityanath stated that before the BJP government took charge in 2017, the state seemed to operate on a 'one district, one mafia' concept. He claimed this environment led to the decay of cooperative bodies that are vital for the rural economy. In a significant policy announcement, the Chief Minister introduced the concept of 'one district, one cooperative bank', inspired by the successful 'one district, one product' scheme. This model aims to streamline and strengthen financial support at the district level.
Financial Injection and Rectifying Past Wrongs
The CM provided concrete data on the turnaround efforts. He revealed that 16 cooperative banks were declared defaulters during earlier regimes, leaving depositors in distress. To address this, the BJP-led government has disbursed a substantial Rs 4,700 crore to individuals who lost their deposits after the licenses of these 16 banks were revoked. Adityanath emphasized that the condition of other cooperative banks was also extremely poor before 2017, undermining their role in strengthening agriculture and primary economic activities.
Modernization and Future Roadmap
Looking forward, the Chief Minister highlighted a multi-pronged strategy to stabilize and modernize the cooperative sector. Key focus areas include:
- Upgrading IT infrastructure and technology.
- Pushing for comprehensive digitisation.
- Introducing transparent policies and ensuring accountability.
He also stressed the need for proper manpower allocation in cooperative societies that manage critical agricultural inputs like fertilisers, chemicals, and pesticides. The government's actions, according to Yogi, have injected much-needed liquidity into districts, benefiting various stakeholders and reviving the cooperative movement in Uttar Pradesh.
