Co-operation in Maharashtra

The present study by Mrs Chandra Dalaya and Mr Ravindra Sabnis, both teachers of economics in the University of Bom bay, indicates briefly the wide range of activities covered by the co-operative movement in Maharashtra as also its strength, weaknesses and the possibilities of its future development. As the authors rightly point out, they are not much concerned with the historical development of the movement or with mere criticism of its functioning. They are, on the other hand, informed by a belief that the movement can occupy a significant place in promoting economic development consistently with social justice, especially in respect of the large masses of our rural population. Co-operation thus can serve as a corrective to, rather as a substitute for, the faith in statism or unbridled individual enterprise.

The relevance of this study in the present context of the inroads made on all constructive faith by growing cynicism and frustration cannot be overemphasised. It is high time we recog. nized that the economic problem cannot be solved by its merely being shifted to the political plane; the problem essentially is intellectual and moral. It cannot be solved by appeals or exhor. tations alone. It is important to strive to create and maintain an institutional environment which could challenge and bring out the goodness in man. The significance of institutions like co-operatives lies in their contributing to such an environ ment-an environment in which, while not immune to the maladies prevalent in the society around, they can still facilitate inner correctives to emerge. It is only through such correc tives that the functioning of these institutions can be improved, as the confidence of individuals in solving problems through their own efforts begins to grow. This basic approach seems to underlie the treatment of this subject by the two authors.