Port Blair, June 30: Andaman and Nicobar co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd has its annual general body meeting held in the Conference Hall of Megapode Nest today under the Chairmanship of  Kuldeep Rai Sharma. Shri NK Sharma, Secretary cooperation inaugurated the meeting as the Chief Guest.

In his speech the Chief Guest recorded his happiness over the extra ordinary achievements made by the Federation under the supreme managerial efforts of its Chairman, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma and Board of Directors. He has also recorded his pleasure to declare that ANCOFED is the first society of A&N Islands to amend its bye laws as per the instructions of the Govt of India. Further he has stated that cooperation movements get speed by cooperation only and in A&N Islands such cooperation is very much available in ANCOFED and other such cooperative societies. ANCOFED is saving the poor farmers from the mediators by reaching to their door steps and thus it is not only serving the farmers but also serving the common people, he said. At the same time, as per Audit reports, it has earned a turnover of Rs. 30 crores, Sharma added.

In his brief speech, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Chairman ANCOFED stated that ANCOFED within its 36 years of existence has devoted itself in the services of the Farmers/consumers of this Union territory. Considering the dependence of the Farmer community particularly tribals of the islands mainly on the produce of copra, the Federation has procured 5000 M.Ts of copra under Price support scheme, 2012. Sharma also informed that the Govt of India has declared Price support scheme for the year 2013 for procurement of copra of the farmers at the rate of Rs. 52.50P per Kg as per the efforts of the Federation. He said that the Federation is continuously supplying insulated ice box to the fishermen through the Directorate of Fisheries under RKVY scheme and maintaining supply of Fertilizers to the farmers through the directorate of Agriculture, Port Blair.

To develop its activities, the Federation, has set up cold chambers of 8 Mts at Industrial estate, Dollygunj and  4 Mts at Phoenix Bay for keeping and saving the perishable produces. It has very recently opened fully air-conditioned and in-house cold chambered Green shop for selling vegetables, fruits and flowers to the common people of the city, at cheaper rate. The main motto of opening this green shop is to control the market from the exorbitant price hike, the Chairman explained.

Sharma has also informed that ANCOFED has distributed 20 nos of sewing machines at  free of cost to different tailoring centres of rural areas for the upliftment of the rural womenfolk  and has  opened 2 free tuition centres at Hobdipur and Mayabunder for the benefit of the needy children of the areas.

Detailing of the tremendous potential in the fields of Tourism and Fisheries sectors, Sharma stressed upon the Board to enter in the ventures of Tourism and Fisheries sectors so that the local unemployed youths can be accommodated and at the same time profit line of the Unit goes higher side.

At the outset he had praised of the selfless services, cooperation and advices of the Secretary Cooperation and also of the Director, Agriculture to the workings of ANCOFED.

The Director Agriculture Mr Salam has, in his speech also appreciated the workings of the ANCOFED and assured of all possible help to it. Earlier Shri MK Srinivasan, General Manager, ANCOFED welcomed the gatherings while Shri Anant Rao, Director proposed vote of thanks.