Co-operative Department – Government of Kerala The growth of Co-operative movement in Kerala was insignificant during pre-independent era. Only 1669 co-operatives were functioning in the state with a total working capital of Rs.92.21 lakhs. The membership and paid up share capital were Rs.2.05 and Rs. 31.79 lakhs respectively. Credit and non-credit operations during the period were also nominal. Loan disbursed during the year 1946 was Rs.10.62 lakhs only. Performance in the area of Consumer, Marketing etc. were also not remarkable when compared to the exquisite achievements during the succeeding years. A comparative statement of performance of the sector during pre and post-Independent era is shown in Annexure-I. Before the formation of State of Kerala, Co-operatives under the area were administered by the Travancore Co-operative Societies Act V of 1112(M.E), Cochin Co-operative Societies Act XXVI of 1113(M.E) and Madras Co-operative Societies Act 1932. After the integration of Travancore and Cochin, Travancore-Cochin Co-operative Societies Act 1951 came into force with effect from 1.9.1952. After the formation of Kerala State, the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act of 1969 came into force with effect from15.5.1969 in order to enact a uniform law on co-operation applicable throughout the State. Consequent on the introduction of Kerala Co-operative Societies Act 1969, Societies with unlimited liability ceased to exist and societies with limited liability came into existence. Thereafter Government of Kerala passed the Kerala Co-operative (Amendment) Act 1999 which came into force with effect from 1.1.2000. Providing of membership to local body institutions, Deposit guarantee scheme in Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, Consortium Lending Scheme, Co-operative Development and Welfare Fund, Independent Election Commission, Separate Audit Wing and Vigilance Wing, and Co-operative Examination Board are the new provisions made in the Amendment Act. Mission and Vision of the department By regaining people’s faith and the hard work of the co-operators, the co-operative sector could achieve tremendous victory. There are about three thousand various institutions in the co-operative credit structure. The Government paid greater care in increasing their fund position by implementing special deposit mobilisation programmes, in addition to the traditional programmes conducted every year. Now the whole deposit is Rs.47827.13 crore as against Rs.20827 crore at the time when this government assumed power. Ensuring the financial health of the co-operatives is as important as strengthening its resource base. Therefore special overdue collection drives were launched for recovery of long pending overdue loans. The intervention of Consumerfed in the market to control the price of essential commodities is another milestone in the history of social welfare activities undertaken by the co-operative department. To facilitate the lower income group to obtain professional education, steps were taken to start professional colleges. Already 19 of such institutions started functioning. The Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam was about to be liquidated during UDF rule. Now the society settled its liabilities and regained its past glory. All together the co-operative movement plays a very important role in the socio-economic development of the State by careful planning and extending all possible assistances to the co-operatives by the government. Organization Under the Minister of Co-operation, the department is headed by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies who looks after the administrative matters relating to 11690 Co-operative Societies. The affairs of the following categories of Co-operatives are administered by the Head of Department noted against each to whom the powers of Registrar of Co-operative Societies have been delegated by Government. Line departments, Institutions and organizations under the department Crumb Rubber Factor, Chenappady Inter mix factory, Kaduthuruthy Procured Tread Factory Rubberised Coir Product Manufacturing Unit Rubber Wood processing and Furniture Manufacturing Unit Sreekantapuram Latex Ltd Tread ManufacturingUnit Cycle Tyre and Tube Manufacturing Unit Hawai Chappal ManufacturingUnit Note Book Manufacturing Unit Neethi Gas Refilling Plant Curry Powder Manufacturing Unit Coconut Oil Complex Malanad Tea Factory Priyadarsini Tea Factory Cattle Feed Factory Milk Pasteurization Plant Honey Processing Unit Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Unit Kerala State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation Kerala Rubber Co-operatives Kerala Co-operative Consumer Federation RAIDCO KERAFED Malanad Service Co-operative Bank Idukki District Cattle Feed Manufacturing& Mkg.CS. Elacckal Milk Supplies CS. Kerala Co-operative SC/ST Federation. Kerala State Co-operative Housing Federation
