» Overview of WBSCU

The West Bengal State Coop. Union is an Apex Cooperative Organization engaged for imparting cooperative education and training. Training and education are undoubtedly two vital ingredients in the constitution of the State Cooperative Union. The monitoring and formulation of the training programme is being done by the body constituted by the Government of West Bengal under the name and style 'State Committee for Co-operative Training'.

The training is disseminated through the outlet of six Cooperative Training Centres lying in different parts of the State. The training centres are situated at Uttarpara, Barsul, Illambazar, Jhargram, Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong. The programme of activities of each Training Centre conforms to the 'Calendar of Courses' drawn up every year in a meeting of the State Committee.

• Schematic View of Cooperative Education in West Bengal
• Infrastructure of Cooperative Training in West Bengal
• Infrastructure of Cooperative Education in West Bengal

The training programmme are conducted for the ordinary members , board of directors and staff of the cooperative societies . Besides this different Government departments (Fishery, Panchayat and Rural Development etc.), autonomous bodies and even the Cooperation Department of neighboring state Sikim are utilizing this training facility. Of late special efforts have been given to meet the training requirement of different Self Help Groups. The women folk finds it difficult to come over to training centres. So, we have arranged spot training for the women. Principal Courses that are conducted at the training centres.

~ Leadership Development Course

• General
• LAMPS (Tribal Society)
• Fisheries
• Women

~ Short Term Course

• LAMPS(Tribal Society)
• Fisheries
• Dairy
• PACS

~ Awareness Programme on Cooperation for School Students

~ Programme for Management and development of Self Help Group.

~ Computer Awareness Programme

~ Refresher course for Secretaries and officer bearers.

~ Foundation course for new recruits.

~ Diploma Course on Cooperative Management.

» Implementation of Cooperative Training Programme

Our efforts to implement Cooperative Training Scheme have been successful in spite of different odds. A table containing figures relating to implementation of Cooperative Training Scheme for the last five years is furnished below.

With the extension of Central Sector Scheme assistance by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (through NCUI) to Junior Training Centres run by the State Cooperative Unions in the 10th Plan period, implementation of Cooperative Training Programme gained momentum. The Government of India proposed to provide 50% Course expenditure in respect of courses conducted under the Scheme only up to 31.03.2007 We however demanded continuation of the Scheme during the next Plan period as well.

» Cooperative Education Programme

~ General Wing

West Bengal State Coop.Union has been working for spreading cooperative education in West Bengal. Our goal is to multiply the number of conscious members, building up trained leadership and workforce for the cooperatives. This basic objective is implemented by our mobile District Cooperative Education Instructors under supervision of 21 District Cooperative Unions. We conducted programmes like Ordinary Members' Class,
(ii) Board of Director's Class
(iii) General Class
(iv) Secretary / Manaager's Class
(v) Formation of Self Help Group
(vi) Student's Camp
(vii) Workshop
(viii) S.H.G. Training
(ix) elocution contest.

These programmes were organized with the members of the different Cooperative societies and the students of various schools.

Analysis reveals that over the last five years the number of people participating in our education programme has steadily increased. We have targeted the poorest of the poor and the needy for organizing self help group and rendered all possible help in running the SHG. Emphasis has been given on formation of SHG with the women. In the coming year we are going to organize self help group with the bargadar and patta holders To inspire the students and youths with cooperative principles and ideals , education camps are being organized at various schools.

~ Education Programme (Women's Wing)

Complete development is possible if both men and women work in unison. Government is emphasizing on empowerment of women for total development of our state. For the empowerment of tribal women an Innovative Programme in the name of Adibasi Mahil Saswaktikaran Jojona is being implemented through LAMPS of our state. Women members are being provided with assistance for implementation of schemes like piggery , goatery house dairy etc. These women require technical and administrative guidance for successful implementation of this scheme. We are involving these women in our educational programme. The women's wing of Education Programme is engaged in educating the women who have organized self help groups. More and more women are being motivated for formation of new group. Many women group are demanding vocational training in beautician course, weaving and handicrafts. Women wing are chalking out programmes to meet this demand. We have only three lady officers for running the education programme for the women, which is inadequate compared to the actual requirement. This wing requires to be strengthened both in capacity and skill.