Siddaramaiah Slams Centre for Cutting Funds to Farmers Coops

Bagalkot: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured that the government will explore providing reservations in employment for graduates in Cooperative Management.

He made this announcement while inaugurating the 71st All India Cooperative Week, organized by the Karnataka State Cooperative Federation and the Karnataka State Apex Bank. During the event, he also distributed the 2024 Cooperative Ratna Awards.

“I have always supported the cooperative movement and its principles. Therefore, I endorse reservations in the recruitment processes of the cooperative department for those with degrees or diplomas in Cooperative Management,” he said.

The CM called for greater involvement of Dalits, backward classes, minorities, and women in the cooperative movement.

“During my previous tenure as CM, I ensured free membership for youths from these communities in cooperative societies. This initiative must continue,” he said.

He emphasized the need to support milk producers' cooperatives by expanding their market and increasing procurement.

“For instance, Channapatna taluk alone produces three lakh liters of milk daily, which translates to Rs 1 crore. This significantly contributes to the economy. To benefit milk producers, our government had launched the Ksheera Bhagya scheme and provided a Rs 5 incentive per liter of milk. We also decentralized dairy operations by transferring them to farmers, strengthening the rural economy,” he explained.

Siddaramaiah reiterated Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj, emphasizing the importance of every village having a panchayat, cooperative society, and school. “This is essential for rural progress,” he said.

The CM criticized the central government for interfering in the cooperative sector.

"The cooperative falls under state jurisdiction. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman established a cooperative department at the Centre, with Amit Shah as its minister. However, cooperatives are not within the Centre's purview. As a result, the assistance we receive through NABARD for farmers has been significantly reduced, with a drastic 58 percent cut in funding. This is a severe injustice to our farmers,” he defined.

“The BJP is good at delivering speeches about farmers, but mere speeches cannot uplift their lives. Therefore, everyone must protest against the injustice,” Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, urged.