New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, inaugurated 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS), along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies, in New Delhi today. The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal and Murlidhar Mohol, as well as the Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation.
Amit Shah began his address by paying homage to two eminent figures—Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee—on their birth anniversaries. He lauded Pandit Malviya as a leading figure in India’s freedom struggle who dedicated his life to promoting the nation’s independence, culture, and Indianness, as well as upholding the values of Hinduism. Speaking about Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shri Shah highlighted his remarkable contribution as the voice of India and its culture in Parliament for over five decades. He credited Atal Ji’s visionary leadership as Prime Minister, which laid the foundation for India’s rise, including the establishment of nuclear power capabilities and steadfast leadership during the Kargil War. Shah also noted Atal Ji’s transformative initiatives, such as the creation of a separate ministry for tribal affairs, the development of the ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ highways, and the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to connect villages with state highways. Shah further observed that the day also marks the death anniversary of Shri C. Rajagopalachari, a revered freedom fighter and scholar of Vedic and ancient Indian literature. He praised Rajagopalachari’s significant contributions to the drafting of India’s Constitution and his enduring legacy in the nation’s history.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation announced the launch of 10,000 new Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS), along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies, coinciding with the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He emphasized that this milestone is deeply symbolic, as it was during Atal Ji’s tenure that the 97th Constitutional Amendment was enacted, highlighting his commitment to revitalizing the long-overlooked cooperative sector.
Amit Shah highlighted that on September 19, 2024, an SOP was established, and within just 86 days, the registration of 10,000 PACS was successfully completed. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, upon establishing the Ministry of Cooperation, introduced the motto ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation). Shah emphasized that achieving this vision requires the presence of cooperatives in every Panchayat, actively contributing in some capacity. He explained that primary cooperative societies are the foundation of India’s three-tier cooperative structure, which is why the Modi government has set an ambitious target to establish 2 lakh new PACS.
Union Minister of Cooperation acknowledged the crucial role of NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB in facilitating the registration of 10,000 PACSs. He highlighted that one of the most significant initiatives after the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation was the computerization of all PACS. This modernization has enabled the integration of PACS with 32 diverse activities, including storage, manure, gas, fertilizer, and water distribution, making them more versatile and effective. Amit Shah noted that these advancements require skilled manpower, which led to the launch of a comprehensive training module. This module aims to equip PACS members and employees with the necessary knowledge and skills. He emphasized that district cooperative registrars must take responsibility for implementing the training program effectively, ensuring the secretaries and executive members of PACS receive quality training.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah distributed the RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and Micro-ATMs to 10 cooperative societies, marking a significant step towards empowering farmers. He stated that every primary dairy will soon be equipped with a Micro-ATM as part of the ongoing campaign. These tools will enable farmers to access low-cost loans, facilitating financial inclusion and support. Shah highlighted that the expansion of PACS is guided by four key principles: visibility, relevance, viability, and vibrancy. By integrating 32 different functions into PACS, their visibility and viability have been significantly enhanced. He explained that transforming Common Service Centres (CSC) into PACS in villages ensures that every citizen benefits from their services, increasing their relevance. Furthermore, PACS’ involvement in activities such as gas distribution, storage, and petrol distribution adds vibrancy and sustainability to their operations. Shah described the initiative as a comprehensive program aimed at strengthening farmers and the rural economy, ensuring the long-term impact and multi-faceted growth of PACS.
Amit Shah emphasized that the integration of computerization and technology will enhance transparency within PACS, enabling their expansion at the grassroots level. This modernization will not only improve operational efficiency but also create employment opportunities for women and youth. He highlighted that PACS will play a vital role in ensuring the easy availability of essential agricultural resources for farmers. Shah further noted that the establishment of three new national-level cooperatives—NCOL, BBSSL, and NCEL—will unlock new opportunities for farmers by promoting organic products, quality seeds, and exports. Additionally, he stressed that the adoption of new model bylaws ensures the active participation of women, Dalits, backward communities, and tribals, fostering social and economic equality and enhancing social harmony.
Union Minister of Cooperation shared that the Modi government has set an ambitious target of establishing 2 lakh new PACS within the next five years and expressed confidence that this goal will be achieved ahead of schedule. He detailed the phased approach for this initiative, with NABARD forming 22,750 PACS in the first phase and 47,250 in the second. Similarly, NDDB will establish 56,500 new societies while strengthening 46,500 existing ones, and NFDB will create 6,000 new fisheries cooperative societies while empowering 5,500 existing ones. Additionally, state cooperative departments will contribute by forming 25,000 PACS. Shah highlighted that, to date, 11,695 new primary cooperative societies have been registered under the new model bylaws, marking a significant milestone. He emphasized that once the target of 2 lakh PACS is achieved, it will greatly facilitate the seamless integration of farmers’ produce into global markets through robust forward and backward linkages.
