New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated the computerization scheme for the offices of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCSs) and Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) across states in New Delhi. The launch event was attended by Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri BL Verma and other dignitaries.
Shri Amit Shah highlighted the significance of taking a step forward in realizing the vision of “Sahkaar Se Samriddhi” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized the transformative role played by the Modi government in improving the standard of living for millions, particularly in rural areas, through initiatives like Digital India and the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation.
The Minister of Cooperation detailed the computerization schemes for PACSs, RCS offices, and ARDBs, with an approximate cost of Rs 225 crore. This move aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and provide facilities for farmers seeking medium and long-term loans.
He noted that the Modi government has been working systematically to enhance the digital ecosystem in cooperatives. The computerization project includes connecting 65,000 PACS with modern and people-friendly software, creating a national cooperative database, and now, bringing ARDBs and RCS offices into the digital realm.
Shri Amit Shah stressed that the National Cooperative Database would offer accurate information about cooperatives at various levels, facilitating the development of the cooperative sector. The computerization of ARDBs is expected to improve operational efficiency, standardize accounting processes, increase transparency, and curb corruption.
He highlighted the importance of modernizing farming and how digital initiatives would contribute to the prosperity of farmers. The computerization project is set to benefit 1 crore 20 lakh farmers associated with 1851 ARDB branches across the country.
The Computerization Project of ARDBs, covering 13 states and UTs, aims to link them with NABARD through a Common National Software. This initiative will enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency, ultimately reducing transaction costs and facilitating real-time data access for better monitoring and assessment of schemes.