New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS), along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies, in a grand ceremony in New Delhi today. The event, held on Good Governance Day, coincided with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, paying tribute to his vision of inclusive and progressive governance.
The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal and Murlidhar Mohol, and senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation.
Amit Shah began by commemorating the contributions of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and freedom fighter Shri C. Rajagopalachari. He highlighted Vajpayee’s transformative initiatives, including the Golden Quadrilateral highway network, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and the creation of a separate ministry for tribal affairs, which have laid a strong foundation for India’s growth.
Announcing the launch of 10,000 new PACS, Shah emphasized the cooperative sector’s pivotal role in rural development. He credited the rapid registration of these PACS to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) established on September 19, 2024, completing the process within just 86 days.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) underscores the government’s commitment to establish 2 lakh new PACS across India, ensuring the presence of cooperatives in every Panchayat,” said Shah.
The computerization of PACS was highlighted as a game-changer, enabling integration with 32 diverse activities such as storage, gas distribution, and fertilizer supply. Shri Shah also launched a training module to equip PACS members with the skills necessary to maximize their efficiency and impact.
The Minister also distributed RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and Micro-ATMs to cooperative societies, facilitating financial inclusion and empowering farmers with access to low-cost loans. “Every primary dairy will soon be equipped with a Micro-ATM, ensuring easy access to banking services for farmers,” Shah stated.
Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to social and economic equality through the adoption of new model bylaws. These ensure active participation from women, Dalits, backward communities, and tribals in cooperative societies.
The establishment of three new national-level cooperatives—NCOL, BBSSL, and NCEL—will further bolster opportunities for farmers by promoting organic products, quality seeds, and exports.
The government has set an ambitious target to establish 2 lakh PACS within five years. Shah shared that the initiative is progressing ahead of schedule, with 11,695 new societies already registered under the new bylaws. Organizations such as NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB are driving this effort, with plans to strengthen and create thousands of new cooperative societies in phases.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to transforming rural India by making cooperatives the backbone of the rural economy. It ensures that farmers not only access essential agricultural resources but also integrate their produce seamlessly into global markets,” Shah remarked.