PACS to operate retail petrol/diesel outlets; 26 societies selected
Cooperation Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament that OMCs received 286 applications from PACS across 25 states and Union Territories for setting up retail fuel outlets. Of these, 26 PACS have been selected.
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The government has allowed Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to operate retail petrol and diesel outlets as well as LPG distributorships, aiming to expand their role in the cooperative sector. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued revised guidelines facilitating their participation in fuel retailing.
As per the guidelines, PACS have been included under Combined Category 2 (CC-2) for retail petrol and diesel dealerships and Combined Category (CC) for LPG distributorships. They can apply online through advertisements issued by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Additionally, PACS with existing wholesale consumer pumps have been given a one-time option to convert them into retail outlets.
Cooperation Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament that OMCs received 286 applications from PACS across 25 states and Union Territories for setting up retail fuel outlets. Of these, 26 PACS have been selected. Furthermore, 116 PACS from five states opted to convert their wholesale consumer pumps into retail outlets, with 56 already commissioned. For LPG distributorships, two PACS have applied for locations in Jharkhand.
The eligibility criteria have also been defined in the guidelines, which include the submission of documents related to registration, land availability, finance etc., by the applicant PACS for retail petrol/diesel outlets and LPG distributorships.
Progress in PACS Grain Storage Initiative
In a separate development, Amit Shah highlighted progress under the "World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector." The construction of godowns has been completed in 11 PACS across 11 states under the pilot initiative. Additionally, the foundation stone has been laid in 500 PACS across 10 states.
The initiative, utilizing funds from schemes like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme, aims to decentralize storage, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve food security. PACS will act as procurement and storage hubs, enhancing rural supply chains and ensuring better price realization for farmers.
