B.  NAFSCOB CASH AWARD ON COOPERATION TO THE BEST COOPERATOR

Executive Committee of National Federation of State Cooperative Banks Ltd., (NAFSCOB) in its meeting held on 06-11-1995 at Delhi, while reviewing the aims, activities and achievements of the Federation since its inception felt that there is a need for this federal body in the short term cooperative credit structure to formulate an appropriate scheme to suitably honour the best cooperators in the country for their contributions. Accordingly, after some discussions, it has been resolved to institute a Scheme entitled “NAFSCOB CASH AWARD ON COOPERATION TO THE BEST COOPERATOR” with effect from the year 1995-96 (April-March). It carries a cash award of Rs.50,000/- along with a citation and a shawl. 

The following procedure/criteria has been suggested for selection and sponsoring names of the eminent Cooperators for the proposed NAFSCOB Cash Award:  

1.      The person should be well known in the cooperative movement particularly in the short term cooperative credit structure at least at the State level.  

2.      He should have personally contributed to the development of cooperative movement at the state level or country  level in general and/or growth and development of the specific cooperative institution.  

3.      He should command good respect and should have the recognition of the cooperative movement either at the state or national level.  

4.      He can be an active or a retired cooperator who may have rendered yeomen service to the cause of cooperative movement.  

5.      The cash award also may be considered posthumously so that the prize money can be given to the deceased family or be contributed among the cooperative institution for initiating special awards.  

6.      He should not have been penalised by any court for any criminal offence or moral turpitude.  

7.      He should not be a member of either Legislative Assembly or Council or both Parliaments.  

8.      Other criteria such as sharing of the cash award and as may be recommended by the committee constituted by the Board of Directors of NAFSCOB.  

9.      A National Level Committee to finalise the cash award will be constituted by the Board of Directors of NAFSCOB.  

10.  Composition of State Level Committees to sponsor/recommend suitable person for consideration by the National Committee will be suggested by the Board of Directors.  

11.  The decision of the National Level Committee in the selection of the Best Cooperator is final and binding on the Board of Directors of the Federation. However, in case of any dispute arising while finalising the name of the Best Cooperator, such disputes will be referred to the Board of Directors of the Federation. In such case, the Board of Directors of the Federation, considering all aspects shall announce the name of the Best Cooperator for the receipt of the NAFSCOB Award. However, such announcement shall be made in the Meeting of the Board of Directors where is quorum.  

Executive Committee further resolved to place it before the next Board of Directors meeting for ratification and implement it with effect from 1995-96. Accordingly the proposal has been placed in the meeting of the Board of Directors of NAFSCOB held on 23-01-1996 at Bombay. 
The Board of Directors of NAFSCOB resolved as follows:  

“Resolved to ratify the recommendation of Executive Committee to institute NAFSCOB Award on Cooperation to the Best Cooperator with effect from 1995-96. Also resolved to note the procedure/criteria as suggested in the agenda note for selection and sponsoring names of the eminent cooperators for the proposed NAFSCOB Cash Award. Also resolved to delete the criteria suggested at Sr. No. 7, ‘He should not be a member of either Legislative Assembly or Council or both Parliaments’. Chairman has been authorised to take all necessary steps in terms of inviting nominations, identification of National Selection Committee.”  

In pursuit of the decision taken by the Board of Directors of NAFSCOB, Chairman, NAFSCOB constituted the National Selection Committee. Accordingly, the Board of Directors of NAFSCOB presented the Best Cooperator Award to Shri Ashok Bandyopadhyay, West Bengal and Shri Subhash Yadav, Madhya Pradesh for the years 1995-96 and 1996-97 respectively according to the recommendations of the National Selection Committee.