‘Prosperity Through Cooperation’ Review Meeting : Mandatory General Body Meetings in Co-operative Societies Between October 1–7, Quality Checks for Fertilizers and Seeds at PACS Level — Minister Gautam Daga

Minister of State for Cooperation (Independent Charge) Mr. Gautam Kumar Daga emphasized that audits and general body meetings in cooperative societies must be conducted in a time-bound manner. He asserted that these meetings should not be a mere formality but a platform for receiving public feedback and sharing information about innovations under the ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ initiative. He directed officials to launch a campaign to inspect the quality of fertilizers and seeds at the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) level and strengthen the department’s monitoring systems.

Mr. Daga was addressing a review meeting at the Secretariat in Jaipur regarding innovations being implemented under ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity Through Cooperation). He instructed that general body meetings of Gram Seva Sahakari Samitis be held between October 1–7, ensuring 100% participation of PACS. Additionally, photographs of these meetings, along with information displayed on PACS notice boards regarding deposits and other relevant data, must be collected to improve transparency in operations.

He also directed that sales licenses for fertilizers and seeds held by these cooperatives must be inspected through a campaign. During inspections, it must be ensured that the quality of products meets prescribed standards.

On the subject of PACS computerization, the minister urged faster implementation and the issuance of handholding certificates to PACS that have already gone live. He emphasized that e-audits should be conducted for these PACS. Officials informed that 5,301 PACS have gone live, and 2,398 have been provided handholding. So far, 713 PACS have completed e-audits.

Mr. Daga instructed that data be updated on the NCD portal regarding the formation of multipurpose PACS, dairy and fisheries cooperatives. He also called for speeding up the establishment of PACS in gram panchayats where none currently exist, and for the liquidation of inactive societies.

In reference to India’s largest decentralized grain storage scheme, the minister directed that warehouse construction be expedited and that renting procedures be initiated per standard operating guidelines. This would significantly boost PACS income. He also advised evaluating the feasibility of Jan Aushadhi Kendras before being operated by PACS and encouraged steps towards establishing FPOs and custom hiring centers, which could enhance the economic sustainability of cooperatives.

He stressed that newly formed PACS should mandatorily become members of the Indian Seed Cooperative Society Limited.

Principal Secretary and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Mrs. Manju Rajpal, stated that efforts are being made to improve the formation of dairy and fisheries cooperatives. Based on feasibility, a request may be made to the central government for modifying the dairy cooperative targets. She informed that 200 applications have been received for Jan Aushadhi Kendras, out of which 172 have received preliminary approval.

Furthermore, 4,030 PACS have fertilizer licenses under the PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendra scheme, and 5,209 PACS are functioning as Common Service Centers. Membership has been granted to 217 societies under the National Cooperative Organics Ltd., 185 under the National Cooperative Export Ltd., and 2,516 societies under the Indian Seed Cooperative Society Ltd.

The meeting also discussed various other issues such as White Revolution 2.0, registration on NCCF and NAFED portals, cooperation in cooperatives, recruitment of cooperative trainees, and computerization of primary cooperative land development banks and registrar offices. All relevant functional officers were present during the meeting.