There should not be a political impediment for farmers to be members of cooperative banks ... GK Vasan

GK Vasan, president of the Tamil State Congress and a member of the state assembly, insisted that there should be no political impediment to farmers' membership in cooperative banks.

In this regard, GK Vasan issued a statement today (June 23):

“A co-operative is a body formed by a body of legislation that enables the beneficiaries to come together and serve themselves and society fully under democratic legislation.

However, today the political infiltration of co-operative banks in Tamil Nadu has not taken place as a formal co-operative movement. At present, the admission of new members in the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks is being done without any notice or transparency and only members of the ruling party can apply for membership. This is completely contrary to the philosophy of co-operation.

The last date for enrollment of farmers as new members in the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks is said to be 22.06.2021. But, if the farmers ask for an application from the agricultural banks, the bank employees say there is no application. It is the policy of the co-operative society that everyone joins the co-operative society.

Therefore, all the members of the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks should be given a period of three months to become members with transparency without any distinction between small and marginal farmers, rich, poor, caste and religion.

Applications should be made available within the respective co-operative societies. On behalf of Tamaga, I urge you to defend the basic purpose and policy of the Co-operative Bank.

Thus said GK Vasan.