In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare accessibility and empowering rural economies, Union Home & Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah, will preside over the ‘National PACS Mega Conclave’ on ‘PACS as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.’
It bears recalling that PACS were recently granted the authority to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Remarkably, over 4400 PACS/Cooperative Societies from 34 States/UTs have submitted online applications for this initiative.
More than 2300 cooperative societies have received initial approval, with 146 ready to function as Jan Aushadhi Kendras. This initiative opens new avenues for PACS, fostering diversification and economic expansion. It is expected to boost the incomes of millions of small and marginal farmers linked with PACS, simultaneously creating employment opportunities in rural areas.
PACS, the foundation of the cooperative movement, are actively serving rural farmers. The Ministry of Cooperation is aligning its efforts with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahakaar-se-Samriddhi.” Initiatives include the computerization of PACS, linking them to NABARD through a common national software, formulation of Model Byelaws, and the establishment of a National Cooperative Database and New National Cooperative Policy.
The event is scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, and is organized by the Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
The Mega Conclave will see the participation of Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries of Cooperation Department, Registrars of Cooperative Societies from all States/Union Territories, and representatives from PACS holding drug licenses for Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The event will be live-streamed on major social media platforms, facilitating broader engagement.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras play a pivotal role in providing quality generic medicines at significantly lower costs, benefitting the general public. With over 2000 types of generic medicines and around 300 surgical items available at these Kendras, citizens gain access to affordable healthcare.
Additionally, three new Multi-State Cooperative Societies for seeds, organic products, and exports have been set up to promote quality seed production and organic products. The implementation of the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector aims to ensure food security by creating storage capacity at the PACS level.
These comprehensive initiatives are expected to strengthen PACS and primary-level cooperative societies, fostering prosperity among millions of associated farmers and enhancing the overall development of the cooperative sector.
