Union Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani visited Odisha to review the state’s ambitious cooperative sector reforms and chaired key meetings to accelerate implementation. Accompanied by Joint Secretary Siddharth Jain and Director Mukesh Kumar, Bhutani attended the 4th State Cooperation Development Committee meeting led by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, media reports say.
The review highlighted rapid computerisation of PACS and RCS offices, operationalisation of new PACS and LAMPS, and their conversion into multi-purpose service centres under the Centre’s “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” vision. Discussions also focused on implementing the world’s largest grain storage plan by constructing godowns at PACS and strengthening paddy procurement and fertiliser distribution.
Bhutani later launched a statewide IT Proficiency Enhancement Training for 5,422 officials from 2,711 PACS/LAMPCS across 314 blocks, in collaboration with Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited. The programme aims to boost digital literacy, e-governance efficiency and cybersecurity awareness.
He also reviewed cooperative banking reforms and visited OMFED, assuring full central support for Odisha’s cooperative transformation.
