PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH

COOPERATIVE DEPARTMENT

LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR

MONDAY, THE 13^TH JANUARY, 2025

337      *Mr. MAZAHIR AMIR:

Will the Minister for Cooperativebe pleased to State:-

What measures are in place to facilitate access to credit and financial resources for co-operative societies, particularly those in rural areas?

ANSWER

SYED MURAD ALI SHAH (CHIEF MINISTER) MINISTER FOR COOPERATIVE:-

Since 1989 the loan facilities to the cooperative societies in Sindh have been stopped. The process for revival of the Cooperative Bank is under consideration. In this regard, deliberations are going on and a summary was moved for Honourable Chief Minister, Sindh by this department for the restoration of license of Sindh Provincial Cooperative Bank. However, the same has been returned by Finance Department (FD) with certain observations to be reviewed. In this connection, the department is working to resubmit it to the FD shortly.

338      *Mr. MAZAHIR AMIR:

Will the Minister for Cooperativebe pleased to State:-

In what ways does the Ministry ensure accountability and transparency in the management of co-operative societies, including oversight mechanisms?

ANSWER

SYED MURAD ALI SHAH (CHIEF MINISTER) MINISTER FOR COOPERATIVE:-

• The annual audit of the cooperative societies is conducted under Section 30 of the Cooperative Societies Act, 2020 wherein the auditor highlights the illegalities and irregularities to ensure effective working and transparency of the Societies.

• There is a provision under Section 55 (1) of the Cooperative Societies Act, 2020 wherein enquiry officer conducts inquiry into the affairs of the cooperative societies and based on the findings of the enquiry report necessary actions are taken to streamline the affairs of the society which ultimately pave the way for ensuring transparency in the working of the Societies.

The Special General Meeting takes decision relating to delay in holding election in the society and irregularities/illegalities of management of society under section 13 (2) read with Rule 8 of the cooperative societies Act/Rules, 2020.

339      *Mr. MAZAHIR AMIR:

Will the Minister for Cooperativebe pleased to State:-

Whether there is any success stories or notable achievements of cooperative societies supported by the Ministry in contributing to socioeconomic development in Sindh?

ANSWER

SYED MURAD ALI SHAH (CHIEF MINISTER) MINISTER FOR COOPERATIVE:-

• Yes.
• It is submitted that substantial portion of land in Karachi was developed by Cooperative Societies to resolve the residential problems of masses.
• Major parts of Karachi have been developed by the cooperative societies. Some of the famous societies are mentioned below:

That the establishment of the cooperative societies promotes socio-economic development has taken place in major cities of the province i.e.; Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Jamshoro, Larkano, Makli, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, ShaheedBenazirabad, Sukkur, and some other towns through cooperative societies. The detailed list is at Annexure placed on the Table of the House. The marginalised and downtrodden people have benefited from credit societies as well. The Fishermen Cooperative Society is also working for the betterment of fishermen of Karachi. Even the Defence Housing Authority has grown out of the Defence Officers Cooperative Housing Society established in the 1950s. All this speaks volumes about the contribution of cooperative societies in socio-economic of the people of the province.

715      *Mr. Muhammad Shabbir Qureshi:

Will the Minister for Cooperativebe pleased to State:-

1. Is it a fact that a project construction of Sindh Government Co-Operative College at Hyderabad with cost of Rs. 118.421 million work completed by June, 2020;
2. If answer to (a) above is affirmative, amount spent and benefits of the same?

ANSWER

SYED MURAD ALI SHAH (CHIEF MINISTER) MINISTER FOR COOPERATIVE:-

1. The scheme namely “Construction of Sindh Government Cooperative College, Hyderabad” was approved on 16^th March, 2012 for Rs 118.421 Million (Capital Cost Rs: 107.93 Million + Revenue Cost Rs. 10.728 Million.)

• The Scheme could not be completed by June, 2020 due to thin and delayed releases. The release position reflected in the report of Monitoring and Evaluation Cell, Planning & Development Department, is at Annexure Placed on the Table of the House).
• That the expenditure of Rs. 107.414 Million has been incurred is reflected on at Annexure Placed on the Table of the House.
• That the scheme lastly appeared in ADP 2022-23 at S. No. 102 but it is missing from Volume-V, ADP 2023-24 & 2024-25.
• That due to the reasons submitted above the said scheme is under revision and its estimates are in process of approval. For this the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Sindh, has been asked for expediting the matter.Is at Annexure placed on the Table of the House.

The scheme will be completed subject to revised approval and inclusion in the current ADP with full funding of the remaining cost of the scheme.