Ministry has taken 48 initiatives for the strengthening of Cooperative Sector in India and some of the initiatives for strengthening of PACS are given below:
Model Bye-Laws are typically designed to govern the functioning and operations of PACS, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective management. They may cover areas such as membership, governance structure, roles and responsibilities of members and management, financial management, decision-making processes, and more.
Why Model Bye-Law?
In order to increase the viability of PACS and diversify their activities making them vibrant economic entities at village level, draft Model Bye-Laws for PACS has been prepared and shared with the States/UTs, Central Government Ministries/Departments, Cooperative Federations, NABARD, State Cooperative Banks and District Cooperative Banks.
By-laws framed by the Ministry of Cooperation in consultation with all the stakeholders have been circulated to all the States/UTs on 5.1.202. PACS/LAMPS are being made multi-purpose by changing the decades old by-laws. This will create opportunities for PACS/LAMPS in more than 25 new sectors – Dairy, Fisheries, Warehousing, etc. All PACS/LAMPS in the State may be encouraged to take advantage of various initiatives of the Ministry of Cooperation under the Model Bye-Laws.
To download Model Bye-Laws click here: https://www.cooperation.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-06/Model%20Byelaws%2005.01.02023.pdf
Total 63,000 functional PACS/LAMPS are being linked with NABARD on a single National Software Network. Computerization plays a crucial role in strengthening Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) by enhancing their efficiency, transparency, and overall effectiveness in delivering financial services to members. This will strengthen PACS by modernizing their operations, improving service delivery, reducing operational costs, and promoting financial inclusion.
For more details please click on: https://www.cooperation.gov.in/computerization-pacs
A total of 2 lakh new multi-purpose PACS will be set up in uncovered panchayats/villages in the next 5 years. Various schemes of the Government of India will be centralized at the level of Primary Cooperative Societies. Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC) have been formed for the implementation of the scheme. Action plan related to this has been prepared and shared by NABARD, NDDB, NFDB to MoC.
For more details please click on: https://www.cooperation.gov.in/strengthening-cooperative-movement-country-establishing-2-lakh-new-multipurpose-pacs-dairy-fishery
4. World's largest Decentralized Grain Storage Program in Cooperative sector to ensure food security
World's largest food storage scheme in the cooperative sector has been approved by the cabinet on 31.05.2023. Detailed discussions have been held at the level of Secretary (Cooperative) / Joint Secretary (Cooperative) on the pilot project from all the States/Union Territories. The name of the district and PACS can be proposed by the Bihar government for its pilot. Selected PACS may be given necessary approvals for implementation of the pilot by the State Government.
For more details click here: https://www.cooperation.gov.in/worlds-largest-decentralized-grain-storage-program-cooperative-sector-ensure-food-security#maincontent
The Ministry of Cooperation aims to enhance cooperative services and economic viability. It plans to utilize Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to deliver e-Governance services effectively. PACS, with vast rural reach, can serve as nodal points for CSC services, boosting their sustainability.
More than 300 e-services are being provided by CSC through Digital Seva Portal. MoU signed between MoC, MeITY, NABARD and CSC to provide CSC services through PACS. Nodal officer to be appointed for this initiative by the state government. Efforts may be made by all PACS/LAMPS to provide services of CSC.
For more details on the MoU signed between M/o Cooperation, M/o Electronics & Information Technology, NABARD and CSC-SPV please click on the link below:
To download CSC Brochure please click on the link below:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has allocated 1100 additional FPOs to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the cooperative sector. PACS can be encouraged to set up FPO by the state government. The formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) is a strategic step to empower farmers, enhance their collective bargaining power, and promote agricultural growth and sustainability. FPOs are member-based organizations that work to improve the economic and social status of farmers by facilitating better access to inputs, technology, markets, and financial services.
To see Copy of Order of Allocation of 1100 Additional FPOs to NCDC please click below:
https://www.cooperation.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-06/NCDC%201100%20allocation%20order.pdf
To Download FPO Guidelines and SOPs please click below:
https://www.ncdc.in/documents/employee-corner/42090308212107_SOP_Equity_Grant.pdf
To Download FPO Schemes please click below:
https://www.ncdc.in/documents/notice-circular/0016010320Government-Order-on-FPO-Scheme.pdf
For any other information related to FPO program of NCDC please click below:
Petroleum Ministry to make rule changes to make Pax eligible for LPG distributorship. PACS will get a source to increase its economic activities. PACS may be encouraged by the State to apply for LPG distributorship. The Government of India has encouraged the involvement of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in LPG distributorship to promote rural entrepreneurship and improve LPG access in rural areas. PACS are eligible to participate in the selection process for LPG distributorship, subject to certain conditions and criteria.
To download Brochure for Unified Guidelines for Selection of LPG Distributorships please click on the link below:
https://www.lpgvitarakchayan.in/uploads/Brochure-USG-18.08.2023.pdf
To download Brochure for LPG Retail Outlets please click on the link below:
Priority is being given to PACS in allotment of Petrol/Diesel dealership. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended their guidelines for providing reservation to the PACS in the Combined Category 2 (CC2) for regular and rural retail outlets for Petrol/ Diesel. Furthermore, the Petroleum Ministry has granted PACS the one-time option to convert existing bulk Petrol/Diesel Pumps into retail outlets. This signifies a significant shift in policy towards PACS involvement in the fuel retail sector.
To apply for State-wise Retail Outlet dealerships please click on the below link:
https://www.petrolpumpdealerchayan.in/petrol-2023/viewads
To download User Manual for Applicants of RO Dealership please click on the link below:
To download Brochure selection of Dealers for Regular & Rural Retail Outlets please click on the link below:
https://www.petrolpumpdealerchayan.in/petrol-2023/assets/pdfs/Brochure_for_filling_application.pdf
To download Guidelines / Process for converting existing PACS CPs to retail outlets please click on the link below:
Utilizing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) as Jan Aushadhi Kendra for access to generic medicines at the rural level is a promising initiative to improve healthcare services and medication availability in rural areas. Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India has given eligibility to PACS to open Jan Aushadhi Kendra. PACS Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be opened by December 2023 by identifying 2000 PACS having 'A Category' audit across the country. Eligible PACS may be encouraged by the State to apply for opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
To know more visit Jan Aushadhi Kendra Website by clicking on the link below:
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has given consent to link PACS with the work of fertilizer distribution. PACS can now also function as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK). Additionally, Packs can also act as wholesalers/retailers in the supply and marketing chain of bio-organic fertilizers. PACS may be encouraged by the state to apply to join these initiatives
The Ministry of Cooperation and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy have collaborated to set up decentralized solar power plants at the panchayat level. Farmers connected to PACS can replace agricultural diesel pumps with solar agricultural water pumps and ensure their energy security by installing photovoltaic modules on the periphery of their lands.
To know more visit PM-KUSUM Website by clicking on the link below:
To leverage the extensive presence of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) in rural regions, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has issued correspondence to all states, proposing PACS's eligibility to function as "Paani Samiti." This designation would empower them to take up the responsibility of overseeing the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) aspects of Piped Water Supply projects in rural locales. This strategic move aims to enhance the efficiency of water supply scheme O&M in rural areas while concurrently generating fresh employment avenues for PACS members.
For more details of all 48 initiatives taken, please refer the link below: https://www.cooperation.gov.in/major-initiative-of-the-ministry
