Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, is set to chair the ‘National PACS Mega Conclave’ on ‘Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on January 8. The Ministry of Cooperation, in collaboration with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), is organizing this event.
The conclave is a significant step following the recent decision to allow PACS to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Over 4,400 PACS and cooperative societies from 34 States/UTs have submitted online applications for this initiative, with more than 2,300 receiving initial approval and 149 ready to function as Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
The Mega Conclave will be attended by Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries of Cooperation Departments, as well as Registrars of Cooperative Societies from all States/Union Territories. Also participating will be the Chairman, Secretaries, and Pharmacists of PACS that have obtained drug licenses for operating Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
The event will be live-streamed on major social media platforms, including YouTube. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras offer quality generic medicines to the public at 50-90% less than branded counterparts. With over 2,000 types of generic medicines and 300 surgical items available, this initiative aims to provide affordable healthcare and create economic opportunities for PACS.
The Ministry of Cooperation, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahakaar-se-Samriddhi,” is actively working on computerizing PACS across the country, linking them to NABARD through ERP-based software. Model Byelaws have been prepared to diversify PACS business activities and enhance operational efficiency. The ministry is also formulating a new National Cooperative Database and Policy to support cooperative sector development.
To boost seed production, organic products, and exports, three new Multi-State Cooperative Societies have been established. The World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector is underway to ensure adequate storage capacity for food security, with godowns and agri infrastructure being created at the PACS level. The Mega Conclave is a crucial platform to discuss and advance these cooperative initiatives.