CG Update: Will PACS increase farmers’ earnings? Will cooperative societies change the rural economy? Will the ethanol plant open the way for employment? Chhattisgarh government has prepared a big plan for farmers.
Raipur. Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Shri Vikassheel has given instructions to make the cooperative societies in the state more effective and stronger. He said that basic facilities like fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, banking services and employment should be easily made available to the farmers through cooperative societies. For this, special emphasis has been laid on ensuring operation of cooperative society in every gram panchayat of the state.
The Chief Secretary told the officials that Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) should not be limited to agriculture only but they should also be linked to works like milk production, fisheries and minor forest produce, so that new opportunities can be created to increase the income of farmers.
Review of PACS warehouse construction and public facilities
In the meeting of the State Cooperative Development Committee held in the Ministry, the formation of the committees, their functioning and upcoming plans were discussed in detail. During the meeting, the progress of construction work of PACS warehouses was also reviewed. Along with this, emphasis was laid on expanding essential services like Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra and Common Service Center in rural areas through cooperative societies. Officials were instructed to provide government facilities to rural citizens in a fast and easy manner.
State PACS committees will join national cooperative institutions
The strategy to connect all the PACS committees of the state with national level cooperative institutions was also discussed in the meeting. Under this, a plan has been made to make membership of Indian Seed Cooperative Society, National Cooperative Export Society and National Organic Cooperative Society mandatory. The government believes that with this the cooperative societies of the state will get the benefit of the national market and new schemes.
Instructions for purchasing maize and pulses at support price
The Chief Secretary gave instructions to streamline the purchase of maize and pulses at support price. For this, farmers and PACS committees have been asked to register on the official portals of NCCF and NAFED. Officials were directed to complete the procurement process in a transparent and time bound manner, so that farmers do not face any kind of problem.
Digital banking facility will increase in rural areas
The meeting reviewed the progress of setting up micro ATMs in PACS, milk cooperative societies and fishery societies to strengthen rural banking services. Apart from this, emphasis was also laid on providing Rupay Card and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to all the members. The government aims to promote digital banking in villages and directly connect farmers with banking services.
Ethanol plants will be set up in cooperative sugar factories
The Chief Secretary directed to expedite the process of setting up multifield ethanol plants in cooperative sugar factories of the state. He asked the concerned departments to take immediate necessary action on this project. The progress of starting internet banking services in District Cooperative Central Banks, computerization of PACS, establishment of PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and operation of rural piped water supply schemes were also discussed in the meeting.
Important meeting held in the presence of senior officials
In this important meeting, Additional Chief Secretary of Forest and Climate Change Department Mr. Manoj Pingua, Secretary of Finance Department Dr. Rohit Yadav, Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Mr. Siddharth Komal Pardeshi, Secretary of Cooperative Department Dr. C.R. Prasanna and Commissioner Cooperative Shri Mahadev Kavre and many senior officials were present.
Apart from this, representatives of Food, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Apex Bank, NABARD, NCDC, FCI, State Warehousing Corporation, National Dairy Development Board and National Fisheries Development Board also participated in the meeting.