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1. INTRODUCTION
Cooperatives all
over the world have become an effective and potential instrument
of economic development. The cooperative movement in Tamilnadu has
over the decades witnessed substantial growth in diverse areas.
There is not a single major sphere of economic activity which has
not been touched by cooperatives. Cooperatives are also envisaged
as an instrument for implementing many important policies like
agricultural credit, urban credit, market intervention, price
support for agricultural commodities through cooperative wholesale
stores, public distribution system etc.,
From a small
beginning, the cooperative movement in Tamilnadu has grown in
strength over the years. Opening of a village cooperative credit
society in Thiroor in Thiruvallore district in 1904 marked the
advent of the cooperative movement in Tamilnadu ushering in a new
era of services for the people of the state, particularly the
agriculturist families. From agricultural banks to marketing
societies and consumer cooperative stores, cooperatives provide
services to the people in various economic activities.
Cooperatives also run the public distribution system which
provides relief to each and every family in the State.
2. PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION
a) Open
membership;
b) Democratic
management;
c) Limited
interest on capital;
d) Distribution
of surplus based on patronage;
e) Provision of
co-operative education and training;
f) Co-operation
among Cooperatives for the promotion of thrift, self help
and mutual aid
among persons with common socio-economic needs; and
g) Concern for
community.
3. ACT, RULES AND BYE-LAWS :
The co-operative
societies functioning in Tamil Nadu are governed by the following:
i) Tamil Nadu
Co-operative Societies Act, 1983.
ii) Tamil Nadu
Co-operative Societies Rules, 1988.
iii) Bye-laws of
the respective institutions. |
