Jacob Zhomomi and others during International Cooperative Day on July 5. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 5
Nagaland Public Health Engineering and Cooperation Minister Jacob Zhimomi on Saturday said the state government is likely to terminate cooperative societies that are non-performing or burdened with debt.
“The screening procedure will start very soon,” Zhimomi said while addressing the International Cooperative Day programme held at the Registrar of Cooperative Societies office in Meriema near Kohima. The event was held under the theme ‘Driving inclusive and sustainable solutions for a better world’.
“We will not let anybody suffer, but we want results from the cooperative societies—for your own benefit and for the state as well,” the minister said.
He said the government is committed to supporting cooperative societies and helping them grow, but emphasised that performance will be the deciding factor.
“We have full confidence in the activities of our cooperative societies. The state government will extend all possible assistance, but your performance is going to be the barometer,” he added.
Stressing the need for efficiency, Zhimomi said, “We don’t want quantity, we want quality.” He also lauded several multi-purpose cooperative societies that have been performing well.
“Nagas are hard-working people. But we lack continuity and consistency. No one survives in business overnight,” he said.
5,862 cooperative societies non-functional
Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies Akangjongshi informed that there are 8,028 registered cooperative societies in Nagaland, out of which 5,862 are currently non-functional.
He said the department is working to cancel the registration of over 3,000 non-performing societies by October 2025.
Commissioner and Secretary for Cooperation and IPR, Orenthung Lotha, said cooperatives are not ordinary businesses but people-centred enterprises rooted in values of self-help, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.
“It is not about cooperatives versus government, but about cooperatives with the government,” he said, calling for stronger synergy between public policy and cooperative action.
He also informed that 231 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in the state have been computerised with support from the Ministry of Cooperation. Online registration of cooperative societies will be launched later this year, he added.
Representatives from Village Agri & Allied Cooperative Society Ltd. Kohima, Shurho Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. Kohima, Life Elaichi Agri & Allied Cooperative Society Ltd. Tuensang, and Atsisa Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. Kiphire shared success stories at the event.
The programme was compered by Ameno Nagi, Senior RCS, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Alangla Tonger, Additional RCS.
