DAYS AFTER the government created a new ministry to “strengthen” the co-operative movement, Opposition leaders have questioned the setting up of the Ministry of Cooperation, with those from Congress calling it a “political mischief” and the Left terming it an “assault” on federalism since cooperatives is a state subject.
The Congress leaders alleged that the real aim of the ruling BJP is to gain control of cooperatives in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Senior party leaders questioned the need for the ministry when even the multi-state cooperative societies are already governed by a central Act – the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act of 2002.
They feel that the ministry has been created with Gujarat and Maharashtra in mind. In Maharashtra, leaders of the NCP and Congress control most of the cooperatives, including the sugar mills.
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