SCDC Decides To Develop PACS Into Multi-Purpose Coop Societies In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The State Cooperative Development Committee (SCDC) has decided to take a number of steps for development of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in Odisha.

In the first meeting of the SCDC, presided by Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, it was decided that the prime target of the Committee would be to develop the existing PACS by diversifying their business and converting those to viable Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies.

The SCDC will also ensure coverage of each uncovered panchayat either by a PACS or a Primary Diary or Fishery Cooperative. It will also extend necessary support to the District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC) in implementation of its action plan.

The status of adoption of model bylaws, status of largest decentralised grain storage plan, computerisation of PACS, strengthening of cooperative banks, identification of cooperative education and training institutes, onboarding of large cooperatives in GeM portal, encouraging membership of Primary, Central and Apex Cooperatives in the three new Multi State Cooperative Societies – National Export Cooperative, National Cooperative for Organic Farming and National Seeds Cooperative – and revival of Cooperative Sugar Mills were discussed in the meeting.

Revival and strengthening of the existing cooperatives, operationalising the newly registered PACS/LAMPCS, devising a workable framework for new cooperatives in all sectors, identifying relevant business activities for the cooperatives based on the field level gap analysis, implementation of Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS) in all cooperative banks, upgradation of Gopalpur Cooperative Training Institute and computerisation of the office of RCS and linking it with the field offices through OSWAS were the key decisions of the meeting.

Among others, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & FE and Cooperation Department AK Padhee and Principal Secretary, FARD Department, SK Vashishth, CGM NABARD, representatives from NCDC, NDDB and FISHFED attended the meeting.