A leader in the world of cooperatives

Bathinda : Surinder Jakhar, who met with a tragic end on Monday, was well known in the world of cooperatives who made a significant contribution to accelerate agricultural and rural development. A graduate from DAV College in Abohar and alumnus of Panjab University, Jakhar was actively involved with cooperatives for about three decades. Born on April 5, 1953, in Panjkosi village, he was also a keen cricketer and was the captain of the first college cricket team when he graduated in 1974. He was elected the sarpanch of his village in 1980 and was first elected the Managing Director of the Fazilka Central Cooperative Bank in 1987. He held this position till his death. His zeal in improving the financial position of people in the rural areas, particularly farmers, and augmenting their incomes through cooperatives was lauded even by his detractors. Surinder Jakhar was the youngest Chairman of the world’s fertiliser giant, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO). He was elected its Chairman for four terms and held the prestigious position till his death. Under his leadership, IFFCO created a new record of sales of 112 lakh MT of fertiliser in 2008-09 and also achieved a record turnover in 2008-09. IFFCO earned a net profit of Rs 360 crore in 2008-09. During his tenure, IFFCO successfully forayed into the rural telecom sector by forming IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Ltd. IFFCO Chhattisgarh Power Limited was formed to foray into the power sector and it also became the first company in India to make an SEZ for farmers, IFFCO Kisan SEZ. IFFCO also ventured abroad as a partner in Legend International, Australia, re-structured ICS Senegal, bought Baylis Generators — -a UK-based company — to help Indian farmers by introducing alternative energy lanterns and torches. He was twice elected the Director, International Cooperative Alliance, and was the founder-Chairman of IFFCO TOKIO General Insurance Company that introduced free insurance cover for the farming community. Recently, due to his efforts, IFFCO had signed global ventures for the manufacture of fertilisers, phosphates and generation of power. He also served as Director, Markfed, and KRIBHCO. A recipient of the Best Cooperator Award in 2001, Surinder Jakhar won fame as one of the best progressive farmers who used to spend quality time looking after his farms in his native village Panjkosi and Maujgarh. His elder brother, Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, was twice a member of the Punjab Cabinet. His younger brother, Sunil Jakhar, now represents Abohar in the Punjab Assembly. His son, Sandeep Jakhar, heads the district unit of the Youth Congress. Together, they contributed to making the area a family bastion, so assiduously nurtured by his father, Balram Jakhar, himself a Congress stalwart