Expansion plan for new multipurpose/dairy/fisheries cooperatives covering all Panchayats: Targets and Margdarshika/SOP
Government plans new multipurpose PACS, dairy, and fisheries cooperatives to cover every panchayat over five years
- The Ministry of Cooperation is using PACS expansion as part of a larger strategy to strengthen rural cooperative institutions.
- The National Cooperative Database is being used to track registration progress of new PACS and allied cooperative societies.
What happened
The Ministry of Cooperation has approved a plan to establish new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and new dairy and fisheries cooperative societies so that every panchayat and village in India can be covered over the next five years. The plan is to be supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and State and Union Territory governments.
Background and earlier position
UPSC can frame this topic around the role of cooperatives in strengthening rural credit, market access, and livelihood diversification. A strong answer should link the expansion of PACS, dairy cooperatives, and fisheries cooperatives to cooperative federalism, implementation capacity, and the quality of last-mile institutions.
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