Name of the Scheme- Prosperity through Cooperation
Department – Registrar of Societies
Scheme for : Institutions ( implemented by Govt.)
Where to Apply : NA
When to Apply : NA
(A) Economic strengthening of Primary Co-operative Societies
1. Model Bye-Laws for making PACS Multipurpose
The Model Bye-laws for PACS were prepared by Ministry of Cooperation after consultation with all States/UTs, National Federations and other stakeholders and were circulated on 05 January 2023. This will increase the sources of income of PACS/LAMPS and create new employment opportunities in more than 25 new sectors like dairy, fisheries, storage, etc. So far, they have been adopted by 23 States/Union Territories and the work of adoption in other States is in progress.
2. Strengthening of PACS through Computerization
Total 63,000 functional PACS/LAMPS are being linked with NABARD through a single National Software Network. So far, proposals for computerization of a total of 58,383 PACS have been received from 24 States and 4 Union Territories. For this, a total of Rs 437.17 crore has been released by the Central government to the States for hardware purchase, digitization and setting up support systems. National Integrated Software has been prepared by NABARD. Computerization will start after the procurement of hardware and finalization of System Integrator by the States. This initiative will enhance efficiency and transparency in PACS.
3. Establishment of Multipurpose PACS/Dairy/Fisheries Cooperative Societies (2 lakh new societies) in every Panchayat/Village
This scheme, approved by the Cabinet on February 15, 2023, has a target of setting up 2 lakh new Multi-purpose PACS/Dairy/Fisheries Cooperative Societies in the Panchayats/Villages not covered so far, in the next 5 years. Under this, various schemes of the Government of India will be converged at the level of primary Cooperative Societies. Inter-Ministerial Committee, National Level Coordination Committee, State Level Cooperative Development Committees and District Level Cooperative Development Committees have been formed for the implementation of this scheme. Meetings are being held by the Ministry with all the States. Action plan related to the establishment of new Societies has been prepared by NABARD, NDDB and NFDB and work has already started on this plan.
4. World’s largest Decentralized Grain Storage Program in Cooperative sector to ensure food security
Under this scheme, approved by the Cabinet on May 31, 2023, different types of agricultural infrastructure such as godowns, custom hiring centers, processing units, fair price shops, etc. will be created by convergence of various schemes of the Government of India at the PACS level. This scheme will ensure country’s food security, reduce wastage of food grains, result in better price for farmers for their produce and meet various agricultural needs at the PACS level itself. The implementation of this scheme is being started through a Pilot project with the cooperation of the States, and will be coordinated by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, National Level Coordination Committee, State Level Cooperative Development Committee and District Level Cooperative Development Committee.
5. PACS as Common Service Centers (CSCs) for better access to e-Services MoU has been signed on 02.02.2023 between Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, NABARD and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited for providing CSC services through PACS, after which more than 300 e-services provided by CSC will now be provided by PACS also. Till date more than 15,000 PACS have been onboarded as CSC and the work on onboarding of other PACS is also in progress. The onboarded PACS are also being provided training by CSC-SPV and NABARD.
6. Formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by PACS
Under the FPO scheme, it has been decided to allot 1100 additional FPOs to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in cooperative sector. Now, PACS will be able to do other economic activities related to agriculture as FPOs. This initiative will also be helpful in providing the members of the cooperative societies with the necessary market linkage to get fair and remunerative prices for their produce.
7. Eligibility of PACS for LPG Distributorship
Petroleum Ministry is amending rules to make PACS eligible for LPG distributorship, after which PACS will also be able to distribute LPG. This will give PACS an option to increase their economic activities and create new employment opportunities in rural areas.
8. Permission to convert Bulk Consumer Petrol Pump operated by PACS into retail outlet
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has agreed to convert existing bulk consumer licensee PACS into retail outlets. PACS will also be given priority for new petrol pump dealership. These provisions will increase the profit of PACS and create new employment opportunities in rural areas.
9. PACS as Jan Aushadhi Kendra for access to generic medicines at Rural level
In a meeting held on June 06, 2023 under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Home and Cooperation Minister with the Hon’ble Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, it was decided to open 1,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by August, 2023 and 2,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by December, 2023 at identified PACS. With this initiative, cheaper generic medicines will be available to the common people at the Village/Block level and PACS will get additional employment opportunities. Interested PACS are to be identified and encouraged by the State Government to apply online.
10. PACS as Fertilizer Distribution Centre
In a meeting held on June 06, 2023 under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation with the Hon’ble Minister of Chemicals, decision has been taken to make functional PACS eligible to act as fertilizer retailers, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK) and drone entrepreneurs for spraying fertilizers and pesticides. These drones can also be used for property survey. This step will ensure availability of fertilizers to the farmers at the PACS level and will create new business opportunities in PACS.
Source: