Dharakote: Lack of adequate infrastructure in co-operative societies coming under Dharakote block of Ganjam district continues to pose challenge for local farmers. It is especially the case for registered members of co-operative bodies coming under Aska Central Cooperative Society.
There are fifteen cooperative societies under Dharakote branch. However, the revenue department has earmarked a patch of land only for Dhabaleswar cooperative society and has sent the land records to Bhanjanagar sub collector for construction of a permanent structure.
Remaining 14 other cooperative societies such as Dharakote, Mundamarai, Dhaugaon, R. Damodarpali, Baradabali, Haripur, Rugum, Baharpur, Manikyapur, Balarampur, Jagamohan, Jharpari, Jahada and Kalasuta are said to have applied at Dharakote tehsil office for their permanent land records. But, nothing has been done to address this, the farmers alleged.
A cooperative society plays a significant role in augmenting farmers’ financial growth. These societies have been directed to supply fertlisers and seeds to the farmers. However, here, they fail to deliver services as asked owing to lack of adequate infrastructure.
The society at Dharakote operates from a temporary building which is in a dilapidated state. Rain water seeps through its roof and causes damage to the seeds and fertilisers kept in this building for disbursement, farmers alleged.
Farmers and employees here alleged that they were working on sufferance. “Apart from dealing with the fear of damage to seeds and fertilisers, we feel unsafe while working here owing to the poor state of the building,” they said.
When contacted, the branch manager said the sanctioned money for constructing society’s own building is lying unused as it does not have its permanent land records.
Local residents and farmers have urged the higher-ups to intervene and address the needs of the co-operative societies in this block.
PNN
