What are cooperative societies? Explain by giving examples of their role in providing food and related items
Answers
The literal meaning of co-operative is working together with others for a common purpose. A co-operative society is an autonomous body of people united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
The Co-operative Principles under which a co-operative society operates and carries out its business are :
Voluntary and open membership.
Democratic control, one member one vote.
Autonomy and independence.
Promoting economic activities.
Promoting education and information technology.
Co-operation among co-operatives.
Concern for the social and ecological environment.
To form a cooperative society, you will need 10 or more persons who wish to form co-operative society for the objects of the promotion of the economic interests of its members.
Hope you like my answer.
The cooperatives play an important role in food security in India, especially in the Southern and Western parts of the country.
The fallowing points state their role
(i) The cooperatives societies set up shops to sell low priced goods to poor people, e.g. in Tamil Nadu, around 94% shops are run by the cooperatives.
(ii) Mother Dairy, in Delhi, is making strides in provision of milk and vegetables to the consumers at controlled rate which is decided by Delhi Government.
(iii) Amul is another success story of cooperatives in milk and milk products from Gujarat. It has brought about White Revolution in India.
(iv) In Maharashtra, Academy of Development Science (ADS) has facilitated a network of NGOs for setting up Grain Banks in different regions.