The Hindu Business Line : GCC expects turnover to cross Rs 200 cr

THE Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC) here is expecting its business turnover to cross Rs 200 crore this year, according to the Chairman, Ms T. Ratna Bai.

At a press meet here, she said the GCC's turnover till December amounted to Rs 133 crore and "we are certain to cross the Rs 200-crore mark by the end of the financial year.''

Last year, the GCC's turnover amounted to Rs 120 crore. "We have introduced a number of new products to the market this year such as aloe vera soaps. The response from the consumers has been good and the Girijans too are satisfied with our performance,'' she said.

Mr Vidyasagar, Vice-Chairman and the Managing Director, said a target of Rs 250 crore turnover had been set for the GCC, but "we may fall short. Still, our performance has been good.''

Asked about the reasons for the failure to achieve the target, he said the paucity of working capital was one reason. "The Government guarantees have come a bit late and we could not get enough loans from the market. Besides, the VAT exemption to our products has also come a bit late,'' he explained.

He said tamarind procurement may suffer this season, starting in February. "Usually, we procure roughly 1,10,000 quintals and it may not exceed 60,000 quintals this season. The GCC will make available half of the quantity it has procured to the Government for supply to consumers through civil supplies outlets. Our tamarind price is competitive, Rs 5-6 less per kg than the market price.''

Mr Vidyasagar said the GCC was not directly exporting its products to other countries, "but buyers from Malaysia, the Gulf and other countries have evinced interest in our products. They may buy the products here itself. We hope to earn at least Rs 2-3 crore through such sales.''

He said the GCC was procuring 35 medicinal plants from the tribals, mainly concentrating on 12, and earning Rs 2-3 crore. It would like to intensify the activity and earn at least Rs 10 crores per annum.

He said the corporation was taking all steps to strengthen the distribution network and appoint a distributor in each mandal of the State and priority was being given to self-help groups of women. A special ad campaign was being taken up to promote GCC products, especially herbal soaps.

Mr Vidyasagar said that among all states Andhra Pradesh was paying the highest procurement prices to Girijans for the forest produce, "but it is better to have a uniform pricing policy all over the country.''