CM inaugurates computerization of PACS

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday inaugurated computerization of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) and launched RuPay Kisan Credit cards at a function held at Jaydev Bhawan here on the occasion of International Co-operative Day.
“With computerization of PACS, farmers will be able to draw the loans sanctioned to them through various ATMs and Micro ATMs,” Naveen said.
He said Odisha is the first state to implement an integrated Core Banking Solution Project covering all three tiers of short term cooperative credit structure – state cooperative bank, district central cooperative banks and 2,708 primary agriculture cooperative societies.
“The state government sanctioned more than Rs 10, 000 crore as crop loans to around 31.51 lakh farmers’ families in 2016-17,” he added.
The CM also distributed RuPay Kisan cards to PACS members.
Cooperation minister Surya Narayan Patro said because of CBS in cooperative banks and PACS, the proceeds of paddy procurement operations is to the extent of around Rs 8,000 crore credited directly to the farmers account.
After the function, a Bank on Wheels flagged off by the chief minister in September, 2015, dispensed cash to farmers through RuPay Kisan cards on the premises of Jayadev Bhawan, a release said.