New Delhi is poised to witness a groundbreaking event on January 30, 2024, as Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, takes the helm to launch the Computerization project of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCSs) across all States and Union Territories.
This transformative initiative, organized by the Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), marks a pivotal step towards the digitization and modernization of the cooperative sector.
The computerization project for ARDB and RCS offices is a tangible manifestation of this commitment, showcasing the Modi government’s dedication to leveraging technology for enhancing efficiency and transparency in the cooperative ecosystem.
The Computerization Project for Agricultural and Rural Development Banks sets its sights on the comprehensive digitization of 1851 units in 13 States/UTs, linking them seamlessly with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) through a Common National Software.
This ambitious endeavor aims to revolutionize the operational landscape of ARDBs by implementing a Common Accounting System (CAS) and Management Information System (MIS), standardizing business procedures to enhance transparency and accountability.
The project further envisions reducing transaction costs, facilitating smoother loan distribution to farmers, and enabling real-time data access for robust monitoring and assessment of agricultural schemes. This digital leap forward is poised to significantly benefit small and marginal farmers connected with ARDBs through Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACSs) at the grassroots level.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Cooperation’s second major initiative focuses on the Computerization of offices of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) in all States and Union Territories. This initiative seeks to usher in a paperless working environment and implement an IT-oriented workflow in alignment with the Cooperative Acts and Regulations of the respective states and territories.
The overarching goals encompass improved efficiency, accountability, and transparency in RCS offices, complemented by the establishment of analytics and MIS, and seamless linkage with the national database.
As part of these transformative initiatives, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACSs) scattered across the country are undergoing comprehensive computerization and integration with NABARD through a Common National Software. Notably, more than 50,000 PACSs have already been onboarded as Common Service Centers (CSCs), with over 30,000 PACSs actively providing digital services.
Moreover, the Ministry of Cooperation has taken a giant leap by establishing a new National Cooperative Database, aggregating data from over 8 lakh cooperative societies. This database, a testament to the ministry’s commitment to transparency, will soon be launched and made accessible to all stakeholders.
The upcoming launch event in New Delhi is anticipated to witness the participation of over 1200 key stakeholders, including senior officials from all states and union territories, secretaries of cooperative departments, Registrars of Cooperative Societies, Presidents of State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (SCARDBs), and representatives of Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs) and ARDB units.
This convergence reflects the widespread acknowledgment and support for the transformative strides being taken in the cooperative sector to pave the way for a digitally empowered and transparent future.