Amit Shah launches 10,000 new PACS to boost cooperatives at panchayat level
The Union Minister of Cooperation shared that the Modi government has set an ambitious target of establishing 2 lakh new PACS within the next five years and expressed confidence that this goal will be achieved ahead of schedule.
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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS), along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies, in New Delhi today. The event, attended by several dignitaries, marked a significant step in expanding the cooperative movement across India's rural landscape.
The launch coincided with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose tenure witnessed landmark contributions to the cooperative sector, including the 97th Constitutional Amendment. Shah credited Vajpayee’s vision for laying the groundwork for cooperative reforms and connecting rural India through transformational initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Amit Shah distributed RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and Micro-ATMs to 10 cooperative societies, emphasizing financial inclusion for farmers. As part of the ongoing campaign, every primary dairy society will soon be equipped with a Micro-ATM. He explained that transforming Common Service Centres (CSCs) into PACS in villages ensures every citizen benefits from their services, increasing their relevance.
Shah also underscored the role of cooperatives in promoting inclusivity and social harmony by adopting model bylaws encouraging participation from women, Dalits, and marginalized communities. He noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation).
The Union Minister of Cooperation shared that the Modi government has set an ambitious target of establishing 2 lakh new PACS within the next five years and expressed confidence that this goal will be achieved ahead of schedule. He detailed a phased approach for this initiative, with NABARD forming 22,750 PACS in the first phase and 47,250 in the second. Similarly, NDDB will establish 56,500 new societies while strengthening 46,500 existing ones, and NFDB will create 6,000 new fisheries cooperative societies while empowering 5,500 existing ones. Additionally, state cooperative departments will contribute by forming 25,000 PACS.
Shah highlighted that, to date, 11,695 new primary cooperative societies have been registered under the new model bylaws, marking a significant milestone. He emphasized that achieving the target of 2 lakh PACS will greatly facilitate the seamless integration of farmers' produce into global markets through robust forward and backward linkages.
The Union Minister acknowledged the crucial role of NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB in facilitating the registration of 10,000 PACS. He emphasized that one of the most significant initiatives following the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation was the computerization of all PACS. This modernization has enabled PACS to integrate with 32 diverse activities, including storage, manure, gas, fertilizer, and water distribution, making them more versatile and effective. Shah noted that these advancements require skilled manpower, which led to the launch of a comprehensive training module aimed at equipping PACS members and employees with the necessary knowledge and skills.
The event witnessed the presence of Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal and Murlidhar Mohol, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani and several other dignitaries.
