Imphal, September 26: Most of the cooperative societies set up in the State to alleviate the economic conditions of the poor are functioning in a haphazard manner and have become a one man society in most of the cases, disclosed a reliable source.

The source said that Cooperative societies which have been set up with the primary aim of improving and promoting agriculture, agro processing, agro marketing etc in the rural areas have failed in most cases.

Informing that out of the 4835 cooperative societies registered till March 2004, 2059 are reported to be in the Industries society category while 2776 are in the non industrial society category, the source added that the reluctance of the societies to repay the loans provided by the Govt was the main factor behind the failure of most of the societies in the State.

Out of the 4.67 lakhs membership of the State Cooperative societies, 28 members belong to the State Level category, said the source adding that a sum of Rs 182 crores and Rs 32.27 crores have been provided to the societies as working capital and share capital respectively.

Sources also said that Women Self Help groups which have been set up in the State under the aegis of the National Cooperative Union of India to improve the economic conditions of the womenfolk has been very successful so far in providing employment to a large number of poor women.

Most of these self help groups which usually consists of ten to twenty women have been very successful and are mostly engaged in papad making, fruit processing, manufacturing incense sticks, rasgollas etc.

Chief Secretary seeks suggestions: Concerned over the complete lack of any developmental works being taken as well as the inability to finish projects, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh has sought the suggestions and inputs of officers concerned to keep the development wheel churning.

Disclosing this a well placed source said that the Chief Secretary sought the comments of his officers to overhaul the system, where all development works have come to a standstill as well as the inability of finish pending projects.

The matter was put up for discussion during a meeting called by the Chief Secretary on Friday last, said the source adding that officers of the rank of Commissioners and Secretaries attended.

Though no definite decision on the schemes to be taken up to put development back on the track again was arrived during the meeting, it was agreed that the Government should look for avenues to introduce new schemes and to keep all departments posted.

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