The recent statement by the Union Cooperation Minister on draft model bylaws for PACS on the occasion of the International Cooperative Day, contains many revelations on PACS like doing a variety of things including running a petrol pump in its new avatar.
The Ministry has already put the draft bylaws for perusal of the public and is inviting feedback. The cut-off date for the comment and feedback is 15th July, about a week later. The Draft model bylaws cover almost the entire gamut of a PACS’ existence including its structure, its operations, its membership and its objectives, among others.
True to his words, the Union Minister and his team have worked out an extensive job profile for the PACS in its new avatar. The Draft talks of PACS providing community-based service in the field of education (school, college), health (hospital, dispensary, clinical laboratory, ambulance service), tourism and environmental and sustainable development activities to the members.
The Draft bylaws talk of PACS participating in the Government Scheme for payment services through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiaries in the operational area of the Society.
The future PACS will also act as a source of information/data centre to be used by the Government for various purposes. It will also act as a Common Service Centre for facilitating on-line/digital services in the area of operation of the Society.
PACS can also undertake marketing and similar activities outside its Area of Operation for the benefit of the members of the Society and what it needs to do is to seek approval from the General Body.
PACS can set up or arrange for Locker facilities and can collect socio-economic, financial and business-related information of all members and non-members in the operational areas which may strengthen the policy framework, development of agriculture plans and related business plans or developmental plans and also beneficial to all the stakeholders of the operational areas.
It can also demonstrate, promote and develop the latest technologies or extension activities related to agriculture and its allied activities for enhancing the income of the society and its members.
PACS can organize training, exposure visits or capacity building programs to empower its members & their families and Management and staff about Cooperative Principles, Cooperative Values and Cooperative actions.
It can also act as an agent or Bank Mitra /Business Correspondence (BC)/Business Facilitator (BF) for the Financial /Banking Institutions and can get engaged as an agency for implementation of social security schemes for the members and will try to focus and encourage the inclusion of youth and women in the cooperative base activities in the area of operation.