Bihar Minister Dr. Prem Kumar Studies Tamil Nadu’s Cooperative Models for Implementation in Bihar

During his visit to Tamil Nadu, Dr. Prem Kumar, Hon'ble Minister, Cooperative Department, visited The Marthandam Bee-Keepers Cooperative Society and Thalakulam Iranil PACS located in Marthandam, Kanyakumari and discussed their activities with the Secretary and other members.

The Secretary of The Marthandam Bee-Keepers Cooperative Society informed that this society is functioning since 1937 and it has more than 2000 beekeepers as members from whom the society regularly purchases honey at reasonable rates. The committee provides necessary facilities and services to honey producing farmers, so that the members do not need to go elsewhere for market and capital, equipment etc. for their produce.

The Hon'ble Minister also visited the honey processing unit in the society and understood the processes of honey production and wax production and appreciated it. It is known that a union of honey producing cooperative societies is being formed in Bihar too, in such a situation, taking inspiration from the activities of successful societies of Tamil Nadu will help in preparing an action plan.

After this, he visited Thalakulam Iraniil PACS and saw the various activities there and got information about the schemes. This committee also has provision for crop insurance, gold loan and other financial assistance which is not currently operational in the PACS of Bihar state. Such facilities can be provided to the PACS of the state after they become M-PACS.

The Hon'ble Minister praised the work done in the field of cooperation by the cooperative societies of Tamil Nadu and directed the departmental officers saying that the cooperative model of Tamil Nadu is commendable and taking inspiration from this, an action plan should be prepared in the state also and the necessary financial assistance can be given to the farmers of the state and self-employment opportunities can be developed.