Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated 1,542 new Multipurpose Primary Agriculture Cooperatives (PACS) at a grand event held at the Convention Center of Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. This addition brings the total number of PACS in the state to 4,253, marking a significant milestone in Odisha’s cooperative sector.
In his address, Chief Minister Majhi emphasized the state government’s commitment to enhancing the cooperative movement by aligning with the Central government’s cooperative initiatives. “We are implementing 54 innovative programs to make the cooperative movement people-centric,” he said.
Some of the key initiatives include:
- Introduction of model by-laws to diversify PACS and Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPCS).
- Modernization through computerization and improved management of PACS.
- Establishment of public medicine centers, consumer stores, scientific grain storage centers, and agricultural service centers.
- Strengthening supply chains for fertilizers and seeds.
The Chief Minister announced the development of 77 PACS as model centers in the first phase. These centers will serve as one-stop shops for agricultural services, providing all necessary facilities under one roof. He expressed confidence that these model PACS and LAMPCS would empower cooperatives and enhance their impact on rural economies.
In a significant move to restore public faith in cooperative institutions, the Chief Minister declared that the state government would ensure the return of deposits to all depositors of the defunct Bhubaneswar Urban Cooperative Bank, which has been closed since 2015.
“The cooperative sector must become efficient, transparent, and corruption-free,” said Majhi. He directed an audit of accounts for all primary cooperatives to ensure real-time problem-solving for farmers, discouraging outdated practices like maintaining records in Excel sheets.
Highlighting the importance of cooperatives, Majhi noted that over 60% of Odisha’s crop credit is disbursed through cooperative banks, with commercial banks accounting for only 30%. He urged farmers to repay loans on time to maintain the sector’s sustainability and growth.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the role of OMFED (Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation) as a backbone for dairy farmers and announced the implementation of Go-Mata Yojana alongside Kamdhenu Yojana to further empower them.
Drawing inspiration from the successful cooperative model in Gujarat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Cooperative Minister Amit Shah, Majhi vowed to transform Odisha’s cooperative movement into a mass movement. “We must take the cooperative movement to every home, just as Gujarat has done,” he said.
During the event, an agreement was signed for the development of the Gopalpur Cooperative Training Centre. The Chief Minister also distributed Micro ATMs and RuPay Cards to members of select cooperative societies, facilitating financial inclusion and access to low-cost credit.
The Chief Minister concluded with a vision of cooperatives driving rural economic development, strengthening agricultural productivity, and empowering marginalized communities across the state. By leveraging innovative programs and fostering collaboration, Odisha is poised to make its cooperative movement a model for the nation.