The financial assistance provided by co-operative societies to self-help groups has been increased from ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh from the year 2022-23, Minister for Co-operation I. Periyasamy announced in the Assembly on Friday.
The announcement was made during the debate on the demand for grants for the Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department. Mr. Periyasamy said the loan amount had been enhanced “keeping in mind their excellent repayment track record”.
The Tamil Nadu Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd. is planning to procure 800 tonnes of vermi-compost from cooperative sugar mills and has tied up with the Greater Chennai Corporation for the disbursement of 250 tonnes of city compost for selling it at a reasonable price to farmers in Tamil Nadu.
In the year 2021-22, 4,85,908 tonnes of fertilizer worth ₹864.04 crore was distributed through cooperative societies. To enhance the services offered in banks, the officers, staff and administrative council members will receive special training under an integrated training policy.
The Minister said a mobile application will be created to sell the produce of co-operative associations through a common market.
Besides, a new scheme called ‘Bank on wheels’ (Nagarum Kooturavu Vangi) will be introduced in the Tamil Nadu State Apex Co-operative Bank and Central Co-operative Banks in all districts at a cost of ₹5.69 crore to ensure that banking services are accessible to people where they live through micro ATM/TAB. The Minister announced that 34 vehicles will be purchased at a cost of ₹16.74 lakh each for the purpose.
Co-operative societies have opened direct purchase centres in non-delta districts to ensure the procurement of paddy at the minimum support price from farmers.
According to the Minister, 31 DPCs have been opened in three districts, and 21,124.830 tonnes of paddy was procured worth ₹4,084.35 lakh in the Kuruvai season and 31 DPCs have been opened in Madurai district and 28,053.820 tonnes of paddy (as on March 2022) has been procured for a total value of ₹5,804.81 lakh.
