Year End Review 2025: Ministry of Cooperation
Context:
To realize the vision of "Sahkar se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation), a separate Ministry of Cooperation was established on July 6, 2021.
The Key Initiatives & Achievements:
PACS Computerization:
It is a centrally sponsored scheme to digitize 79,630 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) by March 2027.
Currently, 59,261 PACS use the ERP software, enhancing transparency.
Model Bye-Laws:
Adopted by 32 States/UTs to make PACS multipurpose, allowing them to venture into dairy, fisheries, and storage, creating new income sources.
Grain Storage Plan:
The world's largest decentralized grain storage program in the cooperative sector launched to ensure food security and reduce wastage.
It entails creation of various agricultural infrastructure such as godowns, custom hiring centres, processing units, fair price shops, etc. at PACS level.
Godowns completed in 112 PACS as of Dec 2025.
New Roles for PACS:
Jan Aushadhi Kendras:
4,192 PACS applied to operate generic medicine stores to provide affordable healthcare.
Petrol/Diesel Dealerships:
PACS given priority for new dealerships
394 applied, and 10 have been commissioned.
Common Service Centres (CSCs):
MoU signed between Ministry of Cooperation, MeitY, NABARD and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited for enabling PACS to deliver more than 300 e-services provided by Common Service Centres (CSCs)
Financial Inclusion:
Pilot projects in Gujarat introduced Micro-ATMs and Rupay Kisan Credit Cards for cooperative members, with plans for a nationwide rollout.
Significance:
These initiatives aim to transform PACS into vibrant economic entities, generating employment and ensuring fair prices for farmers while strengthening India's rural economy.