The first day of the two-day National-Level Review Meeting, organized by the Union Ministry of Cooperation, concluded on Thursday at LBSNAA, Mussoorie. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, and Sriram Taranikanti, Director, LBSNAA.
Representatives from various States and Union Territories actively participated in thematic sessions focusing on digitization, infrastructure creation, and the expansion of cooperative outreach.
One of the major highlights of the day was a dedicated workshop titled “Computerization of PACS, ARDBs, and Offices of RCS: Achieving Day-End Processing & Full Digitization of 63,000 PACS by November 2025.” Led by Siddharth Jain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, the session focused on expediting the nationwide rollout of the digitization program.
Key issues discussed included the implementation of mandatory on-system audits, availability of PACS software in all 22 official languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, onboarding of newly formed Multi-Purpose PACS (M-PACS), and the accelerated computerization of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) and Registrars of Cooperative Societies (RCS) offices.
The session emphasized the need for DCDC approval of 29,000 additional PACS, including 10,000 through FCI, 2,500 via NAFED, 1,500 through NCCF, 10,000 under State Warehousing Corporations, and 5,000 by State Federations.
States were urged to ensure financial closure with hiring assurance and initiate construction by August 2025, as per the advisory of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).
Another significant discussion centered around the formation of 2 lakh new cooperatives, covering all panchayats and villages. In the workshop titled “Formation of 2 Lakh New M-PACS, Dairy & Fishery Cooperatives”, representatives deliberated on finalizing district-wise and month-wise action plans to meet the FY 2025–26 targets.
The Ministry also urged States to liquidate defunct societies, form new viable ones, prepare structured Business Development Plans, and build the capacity of Board members for effective governance.
The day concluded with a session on the upcoming International Year of Cooperatives 2025, which saw enthusiastic participation from various States. Presentations were made on a range of cooperative-led initiatives, including Uttar Pradesh and NCUI’s Business Reform Action Plan, Bihar’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, and Rajasthan’s benchmarking efforts.
States such as Assam, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand also shared their success stories and collaborative models, highlighting the diversity and innovation driving India’s cooperative sector.