The Hindu Business Line : GCC turnover at Rs 160 cr; sets target of Rs 325 cr

THE Girijan Co-operative Corporation Ltd (GCC) achieved a record turnover of Rs 160 crore during 2004-2005, and plans to more than double it to Rs 325 crore during 2005-2006, said Ms T. Ratnabai, Chairperson, and Mr A. Vidyasagar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, at a press meet here on Wednesday, after releasing the annual plan.

Mr Vidyasagar said GCC would launch an aggressive marketing drive. In each district headquarters, an exclusive Girijan Rythu Bazar will be set up. Girijan kiosks will also be set up in important towns to sell the products.

He said GCC procured minor forest produce worth Rs 31.07 crore during 2004-2005, but there is still untapped potential.

During the current year, minor forest produce worth Rs 62.65 crore will be procured. The Girijans will be paid remunerative prices.

The accent will also be on retail marketing of naturally pure forest products to the consumers directly at reasonable prices instead of selling raw products through auctions to wholesalers.

During 2004-2005, such products worth Rs 7.74 crore were sold to consumers. During the current year, the target has been set at Rs 15 crore.

Engaging tribal women under Indira Kranthi Patham for adding value to forest products will be undertaken on a large scale. The distribution network will be strengthened and more incentives will be given to distributors. Tapping institutional sales will be another area of priority, said Mr Vidyasagar.

Essential commodities worth Rs 73 crore other commodities worth Rs 159.80 crore will be sold to Girijans during the current financial year.

Credit disbursement will be of the order of Rs 6.55 crore and credit recovery will be Rs 8 crore.

Answering a question on procurement of tamarind, Mr Vidyasagar said there was scarcity of the commodity during 2004-2005 and GCC had purchased 1,500 tonnes of seeded tamarind from Chattisgarh and supplied it to the AP Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. It was supplied to the consumers at a reasonable price of Rs 10 a kg.

"On the whole, we have procured 55,000 quintals of tamarind and we will procure 20,000 quintals more. There is not likely to be any scarcity this year," he said.

On the Maoists raid on a GCC outlet in a remote tribal area in Visakhapatnam district, Mr Vidyasagar said it was a stray incident and it would impact the activities of GCC.

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