Cooperatives key to protecting society from exploitative practices, says Birla

Kota: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasised the importance of cooperatives in safeguarding society from exploitative practices during his speech at the annual convention and felicitation ceremony of the Shri Hitkari Vidyalaya Cooperative Education Committee.

Birla urged the committee to increase public involvement and focus on supporting the underprivileged. He highlighted that cooperatives are an effective means to protect society from usurers and exploitative lenders.

During the ceremony, senior committee members were honoured for their contributions. Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar praised the success of the Gujarat cooperative model and noted that Kota’s cooperative society is uniquely operating a women’s teacher training college alongside its other activities.

Executive Director Rajesh Birla announced a 25% dividend for the committee’s shareholders and reported that the committee now has over 8,000 members with deposits exceeding Rs 119 crore.