Mizoram was one of the administrative districts of Assam before attaining its centrally administered Union Territory in 1972. Prior to this new political administration, things were difficult to be carried out on a large scale due to the fact that availability of working capital under that extreme corner District of Assam was too meager to meet the demand considering its geographical situation where building up of infrastructure was very expensive. It has area of 21,087 Sq. Kms with a population of 8,91,058 as 2001 Census Report.
The first Cooperative named “The Aizawl Trading Cooperative Society Ltd.” was registered in 1949 and the first Cooperative Sub-Divisional Office was established in 1951 at Aijal which was upgraded as a District Office on 3.1.2956.
Much headway, could not be made to strengthen Cooperative Movement due to the out break of Insurgency in Mizoram which lasted for 20 years. However, during the period of political disturbances, steps were taken by organization Consumer’s Cooperative Societies as there were some inconveniences caused by the insurgency to foster the functions of other type of cooperative like Agricultural Credit Cooperatives.
After attaining the status of Union Territory in 1972 and consequently, full pledged statehood in 1986, more new Civil Administrative Districts have also been commissioned so that developmental works can be done more effectively. With these new Administrative District comes, the Department of Cooperation also opened one new District Offices at Serchhip in addition to Aizawl, Lunglei, Saiha, Champhai and Kolasib District Office.
After 52 years of Cooperative Movement in the State, there are at present 1369 functioning Cooperative Societies including 11 (eleven) State Level Cooperative Societies in various categories. Various types of Primary Cooperative and State Level Cooperative Societies and their progress and activities have been shown in the statement of the booklet.
In order to make the Cooperative Movement in Mizoram more effective, the Mizoram Cooperative Societies Act, 2006 was prepared in line with the then Mizoram Cooperative Societies Rules 1996 was also prepared under the framework of the recently legislated Act, 1991 and came into force w.e.f. the 12th November, 1996. Further, to make the Cooperative Institutions thriving well in the liberalized economy, a new Cooperative Act is needed to be introduced. This aspect is prepared to be taken care of by the Model Cooperative Societies Act which is being introduced by the Planning Commission. This Model Cooperative Act has also been carefully examined and found acceptable in principle. However, as it is aware each State of Indian Union has a unique character involving culture, tradition, customs, geographical situation, land holding system etc. As such, action is being taken for making new Cooperative Societies Act to suit the Model Cooperative Societies Act as well as the distinctive features of the state as far as practicable.
With the adoption of Cooperation as an instruments of economic planning and as the cooperative activities has been emerging in the mind of rural and urban poor in the changed scenario of National Policy and with the economic liberalization of Trades and Industries with fiscal reforms and infusions of new technology, processing industries and allied activities, the Cooperative Movement in Mizoram has been trying its level best to make much headways and to bring Socio-Economic process and activities under the fold of Cooperative Movement with a view to save Weaker Sections.
The total membership of Primary Cooperative Societies as on 31.3.2008 was over 42,286 nos. which cover 4.80% of the population of Mizoram, 32.79% of total membership are under Primary Agriculture Credit Societies and rest are engaged with other Primary Cooperative Societies.
In order to provide legal protection to the common interest of Cooperative members and functioning Cooperative Institutions under the Mizoram Cooperative Societies Act, 2006, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies of Mizoram has been assigned a vital role of supervision of the working of all the registered Cooperative Societies in the whole State of Mizoram.
