Empowering Rural Communities Through Cooperatives
On December 25, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, will inaugurate over 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (M-PACSs), along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperatives. This significant event will take place at the ICAR Convention Centre in Pusa, New Delhi, during a national conference focused on cooperatives. The initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion and provide essential credit services to rural populations. During the conference, Shri Amit Shah will distribute registration certificates, RuPay Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), and micro ATMs to the newly formed cooperative societies. This move is expected to empower local communities and promote economic growth across the nation.
The Role of M-PACS in Rural Development
The establishment of M-PACS is a crucial step towards strengthening cooperative institutions in rural areas. These societies will serve multiple purposes, including credit provision, dairy farming, and fisheries management. By creating a network of cooperative societies, the government aims to foster local development and self-reliance among rural communities. The new M-PACS will not only provide financial services but also act as a platform for collaboration among community members. This collaborative approach is essential for addressing local challenges and enhancing the overall quality of life in rural areas.
Union Minister Amit Shah has emphasized the importance of empowering local communities, particularly women-led panchayats. By focusing on cooperative societies, the government aims to promote self-reliance and economic empowerment in rural regions. The M-PACS will enable communities to pool resources, share knowledge, and work together towards common goals. This collective effort will help improve agricultural productivity, create job opportunities, and enhance the livelihoods of rural families.
Strengthening the Cooperative Sector
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation was established in July 2021. This marked a significant effort to revitalize the cooperative sector in India. The government recognizes that cooperatives are the backbone of the rural economy. They play a vital role in financial inclusion, agricultural development, and employment generation. The new model bye-laws introduced for PACS aim to ensure their viability and sustainability, providing the necessary support for their growth.
The government has set an ambitious goal to establish a cooperative institution in every panchayat across the country within the next five years. To achieve this, a ‘Margdarshika’ was issued in September 2024 to guide the formation of M-PACS. This framework is designed to ensure the effective functioning of the two lakh new M-PACS that are to be established nationwide. So far, 10,496 new cooperatives have been registered, including 3,523 M-PACS, 6,288 dairy cooperatives, and 685 fisheries cooperatives.
National Conference: A Platform for Collaboration
The upcoming national conference will gather around 1,200 delegates from across the country, including representatives from M-PACS, dairy, and fisheries cooperatives. This event will provide a platform for discussing strategies to enhance the operational capabilities of these newly formed societies. Participants will include 400 representatives from M-PACS, 700 from cooperative dairies, and 100 from fisheries cooperatives, along with officials from state governments and the Ministry of Cooperation.
The conference will focus on stabilizing the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities. It will explore ways to provide additional sources of income and promote sustainable agricultural practices. By bringing together various stakeholders, the conference aims to foster collaboration and innovation in the cooperative sector. This collective effort is essential for addressing the challenges faced by rural communities and ensuring their economic empowerment.
The establishment of M-PACS and the upcoming national conference represent a significant step towards empowering rural communities in India. Through cooperative societies, the government aims to promote financial inclusion, enhance local development, and create a more self-reliant rural economy.
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