Minister Adhikari Vows Legal Action Against Cooperative Wrongdoers

Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Balaram Adhikari, has pledged strict legal action against individuals involved in fraudulent activities within cooperatives. Speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Panauti-based Jyoti Mirmire Samuhik Savings and Credit Cooperative in Kavrepalanchowk, the Minister addressed concerns over the growing negative perception of cooperatives due to recent fraud cases.

Adhikari emphasized that cooperative loans would be recovered through legal channels, and depositors’ savings would be refunded without fail. “In recent months, we have successfully refunded the savings of over 6,600 members,” he stated, highlighting the government’s efforts to address the issue.

The Ministry has been actively working to resolve problems within the cooperative sector through the Problematic Cooperative Management Committee and the Cooperative Department. Additionally, an ordinance related to cooperatives has been introduced following consultations with stakeholders.

With 31,400 cooperatives operating across the country—some of which have received international, national, provincial, and local recognition—the Minister urged the public not to generalize all cooperatives based on the misconduct of a few. He acknowledged the challenges posed by misappropriation in some cooperatives but stressed the importance of recognizing the positive contributions of well-functioning institutions.

The government remains committed to restoring trust in the cooperative sector and ensuring accountability for those responsible for wrongdoing.