The Economy of Permanence: A Quest for a Social Order Based on Non-violence (स्थायी अर्थतन्त्र)

Economy of Permanence
III. EXCHANGE
Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies:
Co-operative Societies are ideally suited organizations not only for developing
village industries, but also for promoting group effort by the villagers. A multi-
purpose village society can make itself very effective in a variety of ways such
us :

1. Stocking of raw materials for industries and food grains needed by the
   village people.
2. Marketing of surplus village products and distributing the requirements of
   the people.
3. Supplying and distributing seeds, improved implements and tools, manures,
   such as bonemeal, flesh and fish manure, seeds etc.
4. Maintaining a common studbull for the area.
5. Standing between the government and the people in the matter of
   collection and payment of taxes, etc.
   Much of the wastage caused to food grains in transport and handling and the
   expenses of bringing food grains to a central place and redistributing them
   again to the village can be eliminated through the agency of a co-operative
   society which can be a very reliable medium both from the government as well
   as from the public point of view.
   The farmer retains the necessary amount of wheat for his family requirements
   and the surplus he deposits in the Co-operative Society and in return he gets
   the things he requires on the strength of credit he has thus created with the
   society. Government revenue could also be paid in kind in the same way and
   not necessarily in cash. Today revenue collections in cash from villagers cause a
   great hardship. If stock of grain are held by cooperatives societies in villages,
   the remuneration also of local officials can be conveniently paid partly in kind.
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