Port Blair, Feb. 26: The new office of M/d Bharati Service Cooperative Society Ltd. was inaugurated today at Ferrargunj by Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Chairman, A&N State Cooperative Union.

In his address on the occasion, Sharma lauded the efforts of the BSC society for its services towards the rural people, especially to the farmers in the form of loan to purchase seeds, tractors and other infrastructures to improve their farming. Sharma briefed the gatherings about the importance of Cooperative Society and advised them to opt for Self help groups.

He said with the help of SHG, members can easily get loan assistance from ANS Cop Bank or NABARD Bank, without mortgaging properties or any kind of securities for developing or establishing small business like poultry, piggery, pickle making etc.

It is not at all easy to get a job in Govt departments or in any business house in this era, said Sharma. But in case SHGs are formed, members can get easy loan assistance to run or establish their own business.

The Chairman also informed that Cooperative Union has been imparting training in beautician course, fashion designing, tailoring and computer courses at a very nominal fee from to enable unemployed youths to start their own businesses.

In his welcome speech, the Chairman of the Bharati Service Cooperative Society, Shri Ajay Das explained that the society was established in the year 1968 which was later registered in 1995 by the then Chairman of the Society Late Amar Das with a motive to help the people of rural areas.  The Society has issued Kishan Credit Cards to 23 farmers for Rs. 23 lakh rupees and it has a target to issue 100 Kishan cards @ Rs. 1 lakh each. Das also informed that farmers can obtain loan against their Kishan Credit Cards @ 7% interest. 

Among the other dignitaries present on the occasion were Smti Abala Samaddar, ZP Adhyaksha, Mohd Shafique, Pramukh, Ferrargunj Gram Panchayat,  Director of Surabhi, Shri Aboobacker, GS INTUC, Ghayas Meshak, Vice Chairman, ANSCU, Subramanyam, ANCOFED, Anant Rao, Director, ANS Cop Supply and Mktg fed. and other dignitaries were also present beside the local residents. 

The vote of thanks on the occasion was proposed by Shri Mohammed Shafique.