Social objectives of cooperatives : role of cooperatives in social development with special reference to poverty alleviation, social Integration and employment generation

The present material entitled Social Objectives of Cooperatives is in deed thought-provoking and highly topical. The material is of great relevance in the context of the discussions currently going on worldwide - empowering people. Cooperative institutions are people's organisations which are formed by the members (voluntarily), owned by them (by purchasing shares and on payment of admission fee) and run by them (democratically and in accor dance with the Principles of Cooperation) to satisfy their social and economic needs through active participation and mutual help. Cooperative institutions throughout the world have carved out a place for themselves and have rightfully established themselves in the form of an independent sector the Cooperative Sector - along with the other two sectors - the private and public sectors. Examples of success are available in many countries where coopera tive institutions have not only met the economic needs of their members but have also played a significant part in the social development of their members and the human community in general. A cooperative is distinguished by the fact that the people involved are seeking to set up an organisation which can provide benefits to themselves, as members, in a specific capacity for example, as a farmer, consumer, worker, saver or borrower etc. This fact clearly separates out cooperatives from other forms of economic organisations which have objectives which are directed towards providing benefits for their owners in the capacity of investors.'

The paper highlights on the social aspects of cooperatives where the cooperative institutions have enriched the life of the members in particular and the community in general. They have helped the people to increase their income capacities, provided them with opportunities of education, given them the security through employment, protected the nature, and helped improve the conditions of women and children. The paper cites instances where two sugar cooperatives in India have pioneered and created an infra structure which gives the people education general and technical - and provide employment to the local people. These cooperatives are used to illustrate that the leaders of cooperative institutions, with the support of the members and with the cooperation of its employees, can help improve the social conditions of the community.

Contrary to the common belief that cooperative institutions do not de liver social goods, the findings in this paper strengthen the argument that cooperatives are indeed people's organisations which can respond effectively to the felt-needs of their members. A closer social audit of such institutions the cooperative non-governmental organisations would reveal that leaders with vision in collaboration with enlightened membership and with the coop eration of dedicated and devoted management can transform our 'civil socie ty' into a place of security and satisfaction. These NGOs can effectively help eliminate poverty, sustain environment and enrich social standards of the people. Government only have to recognise their relevance and significance and give them the freedom of action and treat them with respect since they personify the initiatives of grass-roots people of limited means and resources.