The Ministry of Cooperation said model bye-laws for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) were prepared in consultation with stakeholders and circulated to all States and Union Territories on 5 January 2023. The stated aim is to make PACS membership more inclusive and comprehensive, with adequate representation for women and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.
Punjab has adopted similar model bye-laws. The Ministry of Cooperation said that PACS in Punjab are also working on linkages with Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra, and Common Service Centre outlets.
Background and earlier position
PACS are the basic cooperative institutions in the rural credit structure. Before the circulation of model bye-laws, States and Union Territories followed different bye-laws and membership rules, which could limit uniform reform and inclusion across cooperative societies.
What changed now
The model bye-laws provide a common framework that States and Union Territories can adopt for PACS. The Punjab adoption shows one State-level implementation path, while the linkage of PACS with service outlets indicates an effort to turn cooperative institutions into local access points for credit, public services, and retail interfaces.
Related current affairs
- Model Bye-laws for PACS: Adoption to expand business activities and improve governance/inclusiveness
- Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in Punjab under Central Sponsored Project
- Food Corporation of India storage under ‘world’s largest grain storage scheme’ in Punjab pending godown construction
- White Revolution 2.0: New and strengthened dairy cooperative societies in Punjab
- Initiatives since inception of Ministry of Cooperation: model bye-laws for PACS, White Revolution 2.0, tax relief and financial support (ethanol/EBS, GST on molasses, revival of sugar mills)
- MoU for CSC services via PACS and expansion of farmer-facing digital services through cooperatives