MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, November 19:

2012 is being observed as the International Year of Cooperatives worldwide. Following the same, the state of West Bengal is observing the Cooperatives Week from November 14- 20. The week was observed at the Cooperative Training Centre in Kalimpong today. The trainees of the centre were edified about cooperative.

There are a total of 66 cooperative societies in the Darjeeling hills out of which 11 are profiting while the rest 55 are running under loss. Lecturer, CB Roy explained on how agriculture loan can be availed and new ventures can be created further making one self reliant.

Apart from agriculture, there are scopes in tourism, tea, animal husbandry, etc. said AC Roy Sarkar and appealed the individuals to take up the same through Self Help Groups (SHGs).