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FINANCE
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BETTER LIVING SOCIETIES
Better-Living Societies.-There are two Better-Living Societies in
the district. They grant scholarships to the students from the interest
they collect on the investment of their own funds.
Activities of the Societies in National Extension Service and Community Development Blocks.
In 1956-57, there were in all sixteen Multi-purpose and Agricultural Credit and twelve Grain Societies in Mandangad taluka, which was converted into Community Development Block. The membership of these societies was 2,110, while its share capital was Rs. 20,350.
National Extension Service Blocks.-There were in 1957 five National Extension Service Blocks in the district. They covered all villages in Khed, Dapoli, Ratnagiri and Sangameshwar talukas. The total number of societies of all types in these Blocks was 222, with a membership of 19,177 and a share capital of 3,31,007. Out of these, 145 are Multi-purpose and Agricultural Credit Societies, while 37 are Grain Societies. The rest of the societies include Marketing Societies, Backward Class Co-operative Housing Societies, Taluka Development Boards, Industrial and other types of societies. Each of these categories, however, has a limited number of societies as members.
Schemes under the Second Five-Year Plan.
During the year 1957-58, five large-sized multi-purpose societies were organised by conversion of bigger societies. The Government has sanctioned its own contribution towards share capital to the extent of Rs. 38,000. As most of the villages are scattered and separated from one another by physical barriers, grouping of smaller units into larger ones was not possible. Moreover, contributions coming from the people towards share capital are meagre due to the conditions of extreme poverty under which people are living. On a similar basis eighteen small-sized societies were organised in 1957-58.
A new central bank was also instituted in 1957 for which share capital contribution of Rs. 1,00,000 and a subsidy of Rs. 5,000 towards management cost have already been sanctioned by the Government.
SCHEMES UNDER SECOND FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
As agricultural production is barely enough to meet the demands of the district populace, possibilities of further development of Agricultural Marketing Societies do not appear to be very bright. Organisation of Co-operative Farming Societies is also difficult due to the peculiar physical surroundings in the district. At present out of the fifteen farming societies, thirteen are completely in an inactive stage.
In general the attitude of the public towards the Co-operative Movement seems sympathetic and appreciative as could be seen from the increasing interest it has been evincing in the Co-operative Movement. This shows a definite awakening of the masses to the principle of co-operation which augurs well for the future of the movement.
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